

muto^iortumttg 











Copyriaht, 1914, 

By 
Hy. V. Smith 



JAN 22 1914 

©CI.A362284 



U^ 



PREFACE 




HE purpose of this book is to present Chester in its true 
light at home and abroad. Chester, because of its favor- 
able location, great industries, even climate, natural 
facilities and substantial advancement, affords most ex- 
cellent opportunities for trade expansion and desirable 
habitation. The advantages of Chester are set forth 
'"'in order that people at a distance may be attracted to this city, and 
^4hat those here may become more fully awakened to the value of 
'.their home and the blessings they enjoy. 

If this publication will be the means of increasing the pros- 
perity and happiness of the residents of Chester, and the city's 
population and greatness be further advanced by the introduction 
of more people and more industries, then the efforts of the publisher 
shall not have been in vain. 

Hy. V. Smith. 



CONTENTS 

Title-page Ill 

Preface V 

Dedicatiou 1 

Introduction 3 

Historical Briefs. By Henrj' Graham Aslimead 5 

Housing the Working People. B3' Carol Aronovici, Ph.D 24 

City Planning 30 

The Old Town Hall 37 

Industrial Op23ortunities 38 

Natural Eesources ' 50 

Transportation Facilities 56 

Low Cost of Living 60 

Manufacture 62 

Labor 66 

Suburban Ideals 68 

Municipal Improvements 72 

Municipal j\Ianagement 74 

Churches 7£- 

Building for the Future as Well as The Present SO 

Parks 80 

Banks and Finance 83 

Clubs and Other Organizations 87 

Schools and Playgrounds 92 

Private Educational Features 98 

Philanthropic AVork .,. 100 

The Press 100 

Government Statistics 120 

PiTblic Service Corporations 124 

Map of Proposed "Greater Chester" 127 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Fifth Street Bridge Frontispiece 

Historical Subjects 7 

On the Delaware 9 

In the Good Old Summertime 11 

Boat Houses on Eidle}'' River 13 

Early Morn and Sunset on the Delaware 15 

Ocean Liners 17 

U. S. Cruiser Missouri 19 

Group of Public and Office Buildings 21 

Proposed Alfred 0. Deshong Memorial Art Gallery 23 

Grounds and Entrance to Alfred 0. Deshong Memorial 25 

yiews in the Alfred 0. Deshong Memorial Art Gallery 27 

Treasures of the Alfred 0. Deshong Memorial Art Gallery 29 

House and Grounds of General Wm. G. Price 31 

Taylor Terrace 33 

The Siramonds Art Store 33 

Galey Hardware Company 35 

Plant of the Eobert Wetherill Company 39 

Plant of the Seaboard Steel Casting Company 41 

The Baldwin Locomotive Works 43-45 

Eddystone Print Works 47 

Aberfoyle Manufacturing Co 48 

Scott Paper Company — Chester Plant 49 

0. W. Ketchem Terra-Cotta Works 51 

Belmont Iron Works 51 

iSTew Chester Water Company 52-53 

M. B. Fahey Tobacco Co 54 

Suburban Gas Company 55 

Chester Freight Line 57 

Beacon Light Company 58-59 

The John J. Buckley Company, Inc 61 

American Steel Foundries 63 

Geo. C. Hetzel Company Plant 63 

American Viscose Company Plant 64 

American Viscose Company Village 65 

LTnion Paving Company 67 

Some Sural Views 69 

Sun Company Plant 70 

Crew Levick Oil Company 71 

Crown Smelting Company 73 

Fields Brick Companv 73 

Y. M. C. A. Building 75 

Third Presbyterian Church and ]\Ianse 75 

jMadison Street M. E. Church 76 

Saint Paul's P. E. Church 77 

First Baptist Church 77 

Trinity M. E. Church 77 

First Presljyterian Church 77 

Church of The Immaculate Heart 78 

St. Michael's Church 78 

Saint Rose of Lima Church 79 

Chester Park 81 

Crozer Park 82 

Chester I^ational Bank 83 

Cambridge Trust Company 84 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS— Continued 

I'lie Delaware County National Bank 85 

Pennsylvania National Bank 85 

Delaware County Trust, Safe Deposit and Title Insurance Company 8(5 

Wm. B. Chadwick's Log Cabin 86 

Perm Club 88 

Eagles Nest : . 89 

Knights of Columbus Eooms 89 

Temple of Elks 89 

Spring Haven Country Club 90 

Rose Tree Fox Hunting Club 91 

Chester High School 93 

Larkin Grammar School 93 

Franklin School 94-95 

A Group of Chester Public Schools 96 

Playgrounds of Chester Schools ." 97 

Sleeper's College 98 

Pennsylvania Military College 99 

Entrance to Crozer Theological Seminary 99 

Swartliinore College 99 

Hospitals 101 

"Chester Times" 102 

"The Morning Republican" 103 

Residence of J. Frank Black 104 

Residence of Dr. J. L. Forwood 104 

Residence of Charles R. Long 104 

Residence of Hon. Crosby M. Black 104 

William Freihofer Tract 105 

House and Grounds of Senator Wm. C. Sproul 106-107 

Residence and Grounds of Robert Wetherill 108 

Residence and Grounds of Richard Wetherill 109 

Residence and Grounds of Mrs. J. Lewis Crozer 110 

Residence and Groimds of John P. Crozer Ill 

Home and Grounds of Charles T. Schoen 112 

Home and Grounds of John G. Forstburg 113 

Country Place of Josiah Smith 114 

Residence of Hon. William B. Broomall 114 

Home of William I. Schaffer 115 

Baldt Property 116 

Roach Mansion 116 

Sproul Homestead 116 

Washington House 117 

Colonnade Hotel 117 

City Hotel 117 

Plant of the Chester Brewing Company 118 

Morton House '. 119 

Colonial Hotel 119 

Homes and Apparatus of Our Volunteer Fire Department 121 

Incidents of Firemen's Convention Week 122 

Night Scenes of Firemen's Convention Week 123 

Quick as Lightning 125 

Ethiopian Quartette 125 

Contentment 126 



DEDICATION 

This volume is respectfully dedicated to the 
general public, and the sincere thanks of the 
publisher are hereby extended to cdl individuals, 
firms and corporations ivho contributed support 
or in any ivay aided him in the irork. 



INTRODUCTION 




OME cities are rapid in growth, made possible by 
natural resources, such as gold, silver, coal, iron and 
oil, which products have spread fame and fortune 
throughout the world. Other cities have been slow in 
development and yet have acquired a standing that 
insures peace, progress and prosperity for the resi- 
dents. Just what constitutes the basis of happiness in 
the human family is not universally agreed upon. Contentment of 
mind contributes more to happiness than does money. The greatest 
men are not men of wealth. Men who have left their deeds and 
sentiments riveted in the hearts of succeeding generations were rich 
in character and wise in judgment. 

A city is just what its citizens make it. If a spirit of selfishness, 
jealousy, and envy permeates the very atmosphere of a community, 
then may we expect little advancement. On the other hand, a com- 
munity that is progressive; where its people are filled with civic 
pride; where the faces of the inhabitants radiate sunshine; where 
the handshake sends the blood tingling through the veins; where 
there is a "live and let live" compact, in which old and young have 
joined, there will you find the greatest success, the greatest content- 
ment, the greatest happiness. 

Every municipality should be conducted as one big family, and 
every member of the family be entitled to share benefits in accord- 
ance with his or her helpfulness and value to the community. The 
social, political and industrial forces should never clash. Compe- 
tition, aggressiveness or "live wire" methods in social, political or 
industrial circles are not intended to prove detrimental or hurtful 
to the individual or the community. To the contrarv, they denote 
a healthy condition, which is inspiring and productive of great good. 

No city has a greater reason for being satisfied with what God 
has given it than Chester. Its natural facilities are unsurpassed by 
any other place. Then, too, as the oldest town in Pennsylvania, 
Chester can justlv lav claim to important incidents in history, the 
early introduction of manufacture, and in doing its part toward the 
making and preservation of the Nation. Step by step has this set- 
tlement advanced from an agricultural hamlet to a city famous as 
an industrial center. No city holds out more and better induce- 
ments to the captain of industry, the merchant, or the wage earner, 
than does Chester. 

Let the following pages tell the story in illustrations and in 
words. 



/ 




HISTORICAL BRIEFS 

By HENRY GRAHAM ASHMEAD 

[Note by the Editor. — Heni'y Graham Ashmead is a noted historian and 
a recognized autliority on such topics. He is a counselor of tlie Swedish 
Colonial and of the Pennsylvania Colonial Societies; a member of the Ameri- 
can Histoiical Association, a member of the Royal Societies Club of London 
and recording secretary of the Delaware County Historical Society. Mr. Ash- 
mead is the author of "Historical Sketches of Chester," "History of Delaware 
County," and numerous other works.] 

LI AT i^art of Chester comprised between the Delaware, Eiclley and 
Cliester rivers, extending northwestwardly to where is now the 
C'rozer Theological Seminary, was originally a tobacco jjlanta- 
tion conducted under the management of the Swedish govern- 
ment. In 16J:4 the greater part of this territory was granted 
by the Swedish crown to Joran Kyn (George Keen), who had 
come to the province as one of the bodyguard of Governor 
Printz. In 1675 the first meeting for Divine service in Pennsyl- 
vania, by the Society of Friends, was held at the dwelling of Robert Wade — tlie 
famous "Essex House." 

The first court that conveTied in Pennsylvania was at Upland (now Chester), 
November 1-1, 1676, and was administered under what was kno^vn as the "Duke 
of York's Law." 

It was at the Upland Court, in 1678, that the first hospital for the insane, 
supported at the cost of the public, in the history of Pennsylvania, was estab- 
lished. "Jan Coi-nelissen" appealed to the justices that his son Erick "is bereft 
of his natural Sences & turned quyt madd, and yt hee being a poore man is not 
able to maintain him." The Court ordered that a "Little Blockhouse" should 
be built at Amosland — part of Eidley Township, bordering upon Darby Creek — 
and directed a levy to be made to defray the expenses of its construction and the 
maintenance of the lunatic. 

On August 3, 1681, Deputy Governor William Markham, representing Penn, 
established the seat of the Colonial Government of Pennsylvania at Chester. 

On the second Tuesday of September, 1681, the last court under the authority 
of the Duke of York was held here, where the official notification was made that 
l\ing Charles II had issued letters patent to William Penn for the colony, then 
termed Pennsylvania, and directed the Justices to "Readely submit and yield all 
due obediance to ye sd Letters Pattent."' 

September 13, 1681, the first court held in the province under the proprie- 
tary, William Pemi, convened at Upland. Jury trials were heard, but there does 
not seem to be any distinction made between Grand and Petit Juries. 

At the court held at Upland, November 30, 1681, Deputy Governor William 
"Markham presided over its deliberations. 

September 24 (Sunday), 1682, Lord Baltimore, in Wade's meadow — the 
squares between Penn, Second, and Third streets, and Chester river — took an 
astronomical observation to determine the latitude of the town. This was the 
first demonstrative step in the noted dispute between Penn and Lord Baltimore, 
as to the boimdary line between their provinces, which was not set at rest until 
1761, when the agreement for the running of the celebrated Mason and Dixon 
line was made. John Eandolph, of Eoanoke, in the debate on the admission of 
Missouri to the Union, made it renowned when he referred to "The Mason and 
Dixon's Line" as descriptive of the geographical division between the slave and 
free states. 

October 28, 1682, William Penn reached Chester in the ship "Welcome," in 
the afternoon, and was entertained at the dwelling of Robert Wade, knoA^ni in the 
liistory of the commonwealth as the "Es.sex House." This date is positively fixed 

five 



in the breviate used by the lawyers for the plaintiffs in the Chancery proceeding 
of William Penu's sons against Lord Baltimore, heard before Lord Chancellor 
Hardwick. 

During the winters of 1682 and 1683 Chester was the point of destination 
for emigrants from Great Britain, hence frequently several ships would be lying 
oflE the town, discharging passengers and freight. 

On December 4, 1682, the first assembly of the province was held at Chester, 
in Sandeland's "double house," which stood on the west side of Edgemont avenue, 
between Second and Third streets, a large building in those days as it would be 
even now. The session continued three days, during which the great code of laws 
prepared in England was adopted. Penn presided in person over its deliberations. 

At the court held at Chester, June 27, 1683, William Penn, as Governor, 
presided over its sessions, the only time, it is said, he ever acted in a judicial 
capacity. i 

On the 27th of the eighth month (August), 1687, the first jury of women, 
called to serve in any court in what is now the United States, was empaneled at 
Chester. 

The Grand Jury at the March term, 1695, presented the want of a "Bridle 
Road,'" from Marcus Hook to Chester. Prior to 1706 the King's Road was along 
what is now Twenty-fourth street, crossing both Chester and Ridley creeks at 
head of tidewater. 

In November, 1699, Penn, on his second visit to his colony, had his 
vessel anchor off Chester, and for a second time he stopped at the Essex House, 
where he was the guest for the day of Lydia Wade, then a widow. The 
next morning Penn was rowed across the creek at what is now Second street. 
Some young men "fired two small sea pieces of cannon and, being ambitious to 
make three out of two, by firing one twice, one of them ('young men') darted 
in a cartridge of powder before the piece was sponged, had his left arm shot to 
pieces, upon which a surgeon being sent for, an amputation took place." Bevan, 
the young man, died the following AjDril, and the expense of his care and funeral 
were defrayed by Penn. 

On November 19, 1700, the plan of Chester, as prepared by James Sande- 
lands, was submitted to Governor Penn, who the next day gave it his approval : 
so that the present city, from the Delaware river to Seventh street and from 
Edgemont avenue to Welsh street, conforms in substance to the plot then accepted. 

On October 13, 1701, William Penn chartered Chester as ajjorou'gh. 

The Queen's Highway, Morton avenue to Fifth, to Market, to Third, was 
laid out in 1706. The proposed highway caused some dissatisfaction, and not a 
few people objected, declaring that "God and nature intended the road to cross 
directly over the creek, but the devil and Jasper Yeates took it where it was 
located." 

The first trial for homicide in Chester county was heard at the Court here, 
April 17, 1718, when Hugh Miller and Lazarus Thomas were indicted for the 
murder of Jonathan Hayes, a justice of the county courts. Governor Sir Wil- 
liam Keith was present at the trial. The men were convicted and hanged ilay 9, 
1718, the first capital execution in the district. 

Augiist 15, 1722, William Battin, a lad of seventeen, was hanged at Chester 
and the body hung in chains, the first instance of the kind in the history of the 
province. 

During the year 1724 the Courthouse, now the City Hall, was built, -which 
stands to-day the oldest structure in the United States, continually used as a 
public building. 

Wednesday morning, August 11, 1730, Thomas Penn, son of William, landed 
at Chester. The Council of Philadelphia and the members of the General As- 
sembly, the next day, with Deputy Governor Patrick Borden, came hither, accom • 
panied hj a large number of gentlemen, "waited on the Honorable Proprietary 




posting Place. 

JofinMoiton 

<5icfnprof ifie 
Oeclaratior* 
oflodepenclem 

Lyflo casttfti 

decidnjq fo/p ^^B/o; 

'/eec/m\ in the ^^(; Con 



Eandiiiif lace ol 

in tf)P jear 16'82 




and paid their compliments. After dinner tlie Proprietary and his company, now- 
very numerous, set out for Philadelphia." That dinner was a subject of con- 
versation for fully a generation. 

September 20, 1733, John Penn, "the American," because he was the only 
son of William bom in this province, reached Chester, where Thomas Penn met 
him and a great gathering of prominent men. The town was given over to 
hilarity, as w-as done also in Philadelphia when the cortege reached that city the 
next night. The story of the "liigh old times" influenced ilichael Walfare, one 
of the hermits of Conestogo, to go to Philadelphia, where, in his linen pilgrim 
garb, with his tall stafE and venerable beard, he stood in the market place of 
that city and proclaimed the Judgment of an offended Deity against that inicpii- 
tous tow-n and those who had taken part in the orgies. 

In 171:6 Capt. John Shannon and a company of soldiers, recruited 
in Xew Castle, Delaware, and in Chester Coimty, to take part in the proposed 
invasion of Canada, were quartered in Chester for several weeks. They saw some 
hard times later, for at Albanj' thej' complained that their rations of meat were 
nigh exhausted and they were short of "bread and rum."'" 

On May 11, 1756, Paul Jackson, then Burgess of Chester, was appointed 
captain of the 3d Battalion of the Pennsylvania troops in the expedition, under 
Gen. John Gorbes, which resulted in the reduction of Fort DuQuesne, now Pitts- 
burgh. To his command Chester contributed her full quota of men. Paul Jack- 
son was the first man to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, and was 
recognized as a distinguished poet in Colonial times. 

November 7, 1764, Benjamin Franklin, Commissioner of Pennsylvania and 
Massachusetts to present to George III the grievances of these colonies, came to 
Chester to board the London Packet. He w-as accompanied by a cavalcade of more 
than three hundred men of affairs of the colony. 

In February, 1776, Wayne, "Mad Anthony," colonel of the Fourth Battalion 
of the Pennsylvania Line, mustered his command at Chester, and for more than 
three weeks made his headquarters in the courthouse and drilled his raw levies 
in the manual of arms. 

April, 1777, John Morton died in what is now Eidley Park. He was the 
first of the signers of the Declaration of Independence to pass away. His grave, 
in St. PauFs church yard, in Chester, remained unmai'ked until October, 184-3, 
when the present marble obelisk was erected by his descendants. 

Sunday, August 24, 1777, the American army, 16,000 strong, encamped in 
and arounci Cliester when on its way to meet General Howe, in his attempt to 
capture Philadelphia. 

September 11, 1777, the American army, defeated that day at Brandy wine, 
straggled into Chester and encamped east of Ridley creek. At midnight, in the 
Washington House, Washington wrote the only report to Congress he ever made 
of that battle. 

Xovember 18, 1777, Lord Cornwallis, in command of three thousand British 
regulars, entered the town and from this place embarked his men for the attack 
on the American fort at Billino-sport, N. J. At that time over eighty British 
men-of-war and transports lay in the river off this town. 

September 26, 1778, James Fitzpatrick, the noted outlaw and British spy, 
w-ho figiires as "Sandy Flash," in Bayard Taylor's "Story of Kenneth,"' S. Weir 
JMitchelFs "Hugh Wynne," and General Jones' "Quaker Soldier,"' was executed 
at the intersection of Edginont and Providence avenues, Chester, 

In July, 1779, the American privateer, "Holker," lay ofE Chester, where she 
recruited a number of men, and here Capt. Mathew Lawyer exchanged old, dis- 
abled cannons for new iron, giving four tons of the former for one ton of the latter, 

September o, 1781, Washington with his army passed thi'ough Chester on his 
way to Yorktowu, to meet and capture Cornwallis. 

In April, 1782, Capt. Joshua Barney, who had in a naval engagement in the 

eight 



Delaware Bay, captured the British ship-of-war, "General Monk," brought the 
ship, the "Hj'der Ali," and her prize to Chester, where he also brought Captain 
Eodgers, the British commander, ashore. A Quaker lady nursed the Englislmian 
until he had recovered of his wounds, after which he was exchanged. 

January 3, 1786, Elizabeth Wilson, convicted of murdering her twin infants, 
was hanged at the intersection of Providence and Edgmont avenues. Her case 
is one of the most memorable in the judicial annals of the commonwealth. 

March 18, 1786, the Executive approved the Act changing the county seat 
of Chester county from Chester to West Chester, and on September 25th, of the 
same year. Sheriff William Gibbons was directed to remove the prisoners in the 
old prison to the jail at West Chester. 

ilarch 18, 1788, the old courthouse and jail at Chester were sold to Wil- 
liam Kerlin for £4:15. 

Monday, April 20, 1789, Washington, who was on his way to Xew York to 
be inaugurated the first president of the ITnited States, reached Chester at 7 
o'clock in the morning. Later, at the Washington House, he received the con- 
gratulations of the citizens of the town, the address on that occasion being made 
by Dr. William Martin, then Burgess. 

September 26, 1789, Governor Mifflin approved the Act creating the county 
of Delaware. 

November 3, 1789, William Kerlin sold the old courthouse and jail to the 
countj' of Delaware for £693, 3s 8d. 

November 7, 1789, the first court for the county of Delaware convened at 
Cliester. 

January 23, 1790, Henry Hale Graham, the first president judge of Dela- 
ware county, died in Philadelphia, while attending, as a member, the Constitu-.. 
tional Convention of 1790. He was buried in Friends' graveyard, on Edgemont 
avenue. 

During June, July, August and September. 1790, John Fitch ran the steam- 
boat, "Perseverance," carrying passengers and freight between Wilmington, Chester 
and Philadelphia, nearly seventeen years before Fulton made his successful ven- 
ture on the Hudson river with the "Clermont." 

In 1793, yellow fever raged as a dire pestilence in Philadelphia. A party 
of boys at Chester boarded a vessel lying in the stream, on which were several 
men with the disease. By that means it was spread in the town, where a number 
of persons died. 

In the early summer of 1794, when Governor Mifflin called for Pennsylvania's 
quota of troops to suppress the "Whiskey Insurrection," William Graham, the 
Chief Burgess, raised a company of horsemen from the town and immediate neigh- 
borhood, of which he was captain. This cavalry served throughout the bloodless 
campaign. 

In 1798 yellow fever appeared as a pestilence in Chester. Deborah Logan 
says that it was brought here by a woman who had fled from Philadelphia and 
died in this town. She had "exacted a promise from some of her friends that 
her body should be brought back to the city and buried in consecrated grounds, 
and that in consequence of this iDad vow, the infection was first caught in the 
borough, where it spread with frightful rapidity and depopulated whole families and 
streets." One-fifth of the population died of the disease. 

June 8, 1813, David Dixon Porter, eminent as a naval officer, who for his 
distinguished services rose to the rank of admiral, and who was an author of some 
repute, was born in Chester. 

August 27, 1814, the bank of Delaware county organized by the election of a 
Board of Directors. 

In August. 1814, when the British army and naval forces threatened to attack 
Philadelphia, Chester furnished to the volunteer army "The ilifflin Guards," com- 
manded by Capt. Samuel Anderson, who subsequently represented this district 



in Congress, and who was the only man from Delaware county elected speaker of 
the State House of Eepresentatives. 

June 6, 1818, John H. Craig was executed at Mundy's Run, where is now 
Morton avenue and Eleventh street, for the murder of Edward Hunter, a justice 
of the peace of Newto^^^l. 

On Tuesday evening, October 5, 1834, General Lafayette was received at 
Chester. At 11 o'clock at night, when the steamboat made fast to the wharf, 
the Delaware County Troop and the First City Troop of Horses from Philadel- 
phia received him in open order. The towTi was brilliantly illuminated and from 
the pier to Fifth street, on both sides of the curb, stood a line of boys, each bear- 
ing in his hand a lighted candle of mammoth size. The Marquis was con- 
ducted to the Columbia Hotel, now the site of the Cambridge Trust Building, 
(where his wounds had been dressed forty-seven years before). There Dr. Samuel 
Anderson made an address of welcome. At the courthouse the leaders of the 
borough had "provided a sumptuous entertainment, to which upwards of one 
hundred gentlemen sat down at 1 o'clock in the morning." 

Friday, December 17, 1824, James Wellington was hanged for the murder 
of William Bonsell, of Upper Darby, at what is now known as the "Forty Acres." 

In 1826 a committee on manufacture issued a report on the number, extent 
and capacity of the manufactories, mills and unimproved mill sites in Delaware 
county, which was issued from the office of the Upland Union, Chester, the first 
book ever printed in Delaware county. 

In 1837 Kitts & Kerlin established the first manufacturing establishment in 
Chester, a machine . shop and foundry on the w^est side of Edgmont avenue above 
Fifth street, and therein erected the first stationary steam engine in the borough. 

January 15, 1838, the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Eailroad was 
opened for travel and freight from Wilmington to Philadelphia. 

April 29, 1841, a mock funeral was held in the borough, on the occasion 
of the death of President William Henry Harrison — the only instance of the 
kind in our city annals. 

Friday, August 6, 1841, Thomas Cropper, who was convicted of the murder 
of Martin Hollis, of Birmingham, was executed in the Jail yard at Chester, the 
last person to suffer capital punishment within the borough limits. 

On Saturday, August 3, 1843, a cloud-burst, kno-sAOi as "Lamma's Flood," 
wrought widespread destruction in Delaware county. The water in Cliester creek 
rose nineteen feet in the borough limits, sweeping away the railroad bridge as well 
as the bridge at Third street. Thirty-two of the county bridges were destroyed 
or seriously damaged. Nineteen persons were drowned and the pecuniary loss 
estimated at about $220,000. 

The movement to change the county seat from Chester to a more central 
location took active form on November 22, 1845, at a public meeting held at the 
Black Horse Tavern, in Middletown. The Legislature in 1846 enacted a law, 
submitting the question to a vote of the people. The election, October 12, 1847, 
showed a majority of 752 votes in favor of the change. The matter was taken 
to the Superior Court and early in 1849 that tribunal decided in favor of the 
remo^'al. In the summer of 1851 the court records were transferred to Media. 
The last court held in Chester began May 26, 1851, and was in session four days, 
adjourning Friday, May 30, 1851. 

April 18. 1846, Theodore Porter, born in Chester, son of Commodore David 
Porter, and brother of Admiral D. D. Porter, was killed in Mexico. He was a 
lieutenant in the 7th U. S. Infantry, and with a detachment of ten men liad been 
ordered outside of General Taylor's encampment. They were fired upon by fifty 
Mexicans, Porter and three of his men l^eing killed. The others reached camp safely. 
Theodore Porter was the first American officer killed in the Mexican war. His 
remains rest in an unmarked grave in old St. Paul's graveyard, Chester. 

June 13, 1S46. The Delaware County Gravs, which hail been recruited mostly 



from the borough, -ivere inspected by Major Peck, Captain Zeilin having, through 
Governor Shunk, offered the company to President Polk for active service iii the 
Mexican war. The quota of Pennsylvania being filled, the president refused to 
accept the troops. 

In 1847 the battlefield of the ten-hour movement was practically in Dela- 
ware county, although the western parts of Pennsylvania were active in the move- 
ment to limit the hours of labor by law from fifteen to ten hours. For five years 
the fight continued, until, at a public meeting held in Chester, the manufacturers 
of the county decided to give the new law a year's trial test, which proved emi- 
nently successful. 

December, 1849, John M. Broomall purchased fifty acres, the Kerlin farm, 
west of the creek. 

January o, 1850, John Larkin, Jr., purchased eighty-three acres of land 
from John Cochrane. Both tracts were laid out in streets, squares and building 
lots. It was then that Chester awoke from its torpor of more than a century. 

In the latter part of March, 1850, James Campbell, who had erected the 
"Pioneer Mills," on Fourth street, near Market, started the machinery in the 
factory. This was the first textile industry located in Chester. 

December 9, 1850, the old Courthouse and grounds were divided into three 
lots and sold. The Courthouse, purchased by the borough, was bought for $2641, 
the lot now occupied by the First National Bank and Chester Times brought $1525, 
and the jail and lots adjoining were sold to James Campbell for $3520. 

November 8, 1851, the Pemisylvania Historical Society celebrated the one 
hundred and sixty-seventh anniversary of the landing of Penn at Chester. After 
appropriate literary exercises, the society planted several trees at Front and Penn 
streets, on the exact site where the old pine trees stood, to one of which the small 
boat that conveyed Penn from the "Welcome" was made fast when he made his 
first landing on Pennsylvania soil. 

In the summer of 1856 William Bucknell organized a company, erected works, 
laid mains, and in the fall supplied illuminating gas to the inhabitants of the to\\-n. 

In 1859, Thomas Eeaney, the senior member of the shipbuilding firm of 
Eeaney & Neafie, located at Chester and for a number of years conducted a success- 
ful shipbuilding business here. 

During the civil war there were built for the United States Government at 
this plant, then kno\vii as the Pennsylvania Iron Works, the double-enders, 
"Wateree," "Suwanee"' and "Shamokin;"' the monitors "Sagamore," "Lehigh"' and 
"Tunxis." The success of the firm brought a large number of workmen to Chester 
and added largely to the population and development of the town. 

The civil war burst upon the nation on Saturday, April 13, 1861, when the 
stars and stripes were hauled down from the staff at Fort Sumter, under the fire 
of the Confederate forces. 

Wednesday, April 17, 1861, the "Union Blues," an independent company com- 
manded by Capt. Harry B. Edwards, was recruited in Chester, and on the Saturday 
following was mustered into the United States service and immediately ordered 
to the front; and later was encamped with the Ninth Pennsylvania Eegiment 
of Infantry. Later, Capt. William L. Grubb raised a company in the Irorough, 
as was the Slif er Phalanx, Capt. Samuel A. Dyer. Company A of the Forty-eighth 
Eegiment, Capt. Thomas I. Leiper; Company E of the One Hundred and Nine- 
teenth Eegiment, Capt. William C. Gray ; Company B, Delaware County Fusileers, 
Capt. Simon Litzenberg; Company D, Gideon's JBand, Capt. Norris L. Yarnall, 
and Company H, Delaware County Volunteers, Capt. James Barton, Jr.. were 
chiefly recruited from the borough and were incorporated in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-first Eegiment, Pennsvlvania Volunteer Infantry. During the drafting 
of 1862, Company K, Capt. Wm. B. Thatcher, of the Tenth Eegiment ]\Iilitia, 
was recruited in 'Chester, and in the emergency call of 1863, the Gettysburg 
campaign. Company A, Thirty-seventh Eegiment Militia, Capt. AVilliam Frick, 

foKrteen 




fifteen 



was recruited here. Company A, Capt. James Barton, Jr.. was mustered into the 
One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Eegiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and 
Company K, Lieut. William B. Thatcher, of the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, was recruited mostly from Chester, while 
on July 1st, of the same year, Company li of the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, Capt. Geo. K. Crozer, was recruited at Upland. 

Chester was incorporated as a city by the Act of Assembly, approved February 
1-t, 1866, and John Larkin, Jr., became the first mayor of the city at a special 
election held one month later. 

In April, 1866, the Legislature empowered the city of Chester to construct 
a water works, if the project was sustained by a popular vote of the people. The 
North and Middle wards rejected it, but the South ward adopted the measure, 
whereupon, on March 2, 1867, an Act was approved authorizing the South ward 
to construct a water works, which was done and operated by that section of 
the city as the South Chester Water Works until July 1, 1887, when the plant 
was sold to the New Chester Water Company, which has controlled it ever since. 

1869. John Larkin, Jr., was elected mayor, for the second time. 

1872. Dr. J. L. Forwood was elected mayor, defeating John Larkin, Jr., who 
had been nominated by the Republicans for a third term. 

In 1872 John Roach purchased the Reaney shipbuilding plant and estab- 
lished "The Delaware River Iron, Shipbuilding & Engine Works," which he greatly 
enlarged and outfitted. 

1875. Dr. J. L. Forwood was elected mayor for the second time. 

May 13, 1874, the "City of Peking" (5079 tons), the largest vessel up to that 
time built in the United States, was launched at Roach's shipyard. 

January 1, 1876. The Centennial year was ushered in with memorable cere- 
monies. At half past eleven o'clock, of the night of December 31, 1875, a Colonial 
salute of thirteen guns was fired by a detachment of Wilde Post, No. 25, G. A. R., 
and when the hands of the dial of the illuminated clock in the tower of the city 
hall marked the hour of twelve, the bells of the city rang out a joyous peal, while 
the music of the various bands, the cheers of the crowd, the discharge of firearms 
and cannon, the blowing of the whistles, all made a din such as Chester had never 
before known. A large procession, comprising all the military and fire companies 
and most of the civic societies of Chester and outlying boroughs, traversed the 
principal streets of the city amid the greatest enthusiasm. 

July 4, 1876. Centennial Day was observed with a procession, which was the 
most imposing ever before seen in the city. Nearly every manufacturing establish- 
ment was represented in the ranks. Numerous floats, exhibiting the products of the 
town and fully six thousand persons took part in the parade. The literary exercises 
were conducted on the Beale House lawn, where now stands the Arcade Hotel and 
Black Block. 

Tuesday, May 22, 1877, the steamship "Saratoga" was launched at Roach's 
shipyard. Without warning the vessel "slipped its shoes" and ran swiftly down the 
ways. A number of workmen under the ship were caught in the blocking. Seven 
were killed and many others seriously injured. 

1878. Dr. J. L. Forwood was elected mayor for the third time. 

April 6, 1878, the "City of Para" (3548 tons), of the Brazilian Line, was 
launched at Roach's shipyard. It was witnessed by President Hayes, members of 
his cabinet, together with several hundred senators, congressmen, and de]3artment 
officials, who had come from Washington in a special train ; also Governor Hastings 
and his staff"; all the guests of Mr. Roach. They were met by the city officials and 
conducted to the shipyard in carriages with military escort. The streets were 
crowded and fully ten thousand persons were present at the launching. 

The Moyamensing Hook & Ladder Company was instituted April 7, 1868, 
and incorporated February 28, 1870. Its first truck and hose carriage was pre- 
sented to it by the Moyamensing Company of Philadelphia. 



The Franklin Fire Company, Xo. 1, was instituted Xovember 30, 1867, and 
incorporated February 22, 1869. Its first steam fire engine was purcliased in 1874. 

The Hanley Hose Company was instituted January 12, 1869, and incorporated 
February 22, 1869. Its first steam fire engine was owned by tlie city. 

1881. James Barton, Jr., was elected mayor. 

Thursday, February 16, 1882, the Pennsylvania Military Academy liuilding 
was totally destroyed by fire. 

Friday, February 17, 1882, Jackson's Pyrotechnical Manufactory, for which 
purpose the house built by Chief Justice Lloyd, in 1721, and later the birthplace 
of Admiral David D. Porter, was then used, took fire and a large stock of fireworks 
exploded, resulting in the death of eighteen persons and the wounding of fifty-seven 
others. 

June 27, 1882, the Chester Street Eailway Company was formed, and on 
February 1, 1883, began operating the road as a horse-car line. From that enter- 
prise the present trolley railway system has developed. 

The Bi-Centennial of Penn's Landing at Chester was celebrated Monday, 
October 23, 1882, that day being selected so as not to conflict with the remainder 
of the week's observance in Philadelphia. The landing of William Penn (imper- 
sonated by John J. Hare), was made as near the exact spot at Front and Penn 
streets as could be done, considering the changes made in the river bank in two 
hundred years. Among the persons present were Governor Henry W. Hoj^t and 
staff, Adjt.-Genl. John W. Lather and Captain Deen, U. S. Eevenue Service. 
Fully ten thousand persons were present. Hon. Jolin M. Broomall delivered an 
oration, and in the afternoon a parade, commanded by Capt. William C. Gray, 
traversed the prominent streets of the city. Over six thousand persons participated. 

The Felton Fire Company was instituted on November 2, 1882, and was 
incorporated on the twenty-ninth day of the same month. 

Thursday, Jfovember 9, 1882, a number of members of the Pennsylvania His- 
torical Society and the Penn Club unveiled the Penn Memorial stone at Front and 
Penn streets. It is of granite, in the form of a milestone, five feet in height and 
three by two feet at the base. It weighs over two tons and is set on a solid founda- 
tion of masonry. 

In 1883 the Naval Department awarded to the Eoach shipyard the construc- 
tion of the famous dispatch boat "Dolphin" (1202 tons), the armored cruisers 
"Atlanta"' and "Boston" (2296 tons each), and the "Chicago" (3527 tons). The 
building of these war vessels was the beginning of the new navy of the LTnited 
States. Chester was the birthplace of the noted "White Squadron." 

1884. Dr. J. L. Forwood was elected mayor for the fourth time. 

1887. Maj. J. E. T. Coates elected mayor, defeating Dr. J. L. Forwood. 

July 1, 1887, free delivery of postal matter was inaugurated in Chester. 

October 3, 1887, North Chester borough, by ordinance, was incorporated with 
Chester city. 

1890. Major Coates was re-elected mayor. 

During the year 1890 the gunboats "Concord"" and "Bennington"' were 
launched at Eoach's shipyard. The "Concord" was one of Dewey's squadron which, 
on Sunday, May 1, 1898, destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila bay. and the "Ben- 
nington" was later lost in striking a rock on the uncharted coast of Luzon. 

September 13-18, 1890, the State Firemen's Association held its eleventh 
annual convention at Chester, 

1891. The Good AVill Fire Company was inaugurated. 

1893. John B. Hinkson elected mayor. 

Samuel A. Crozer, in the summer of 1893, offered to donate to the city some 
tliirty acres of land to be used as a public park. On July 14, 1894, the gift from 
Mr. Crozer was accepted by ordinance and the grounds, in recognition of the donor, 
was named Crozer Park. 

1894. Larkin Grammar School building' erected. 







X 



Lauds had, tvoia time to time, been donated by owners of tracts in the northern 
part of the city — late the borough of North Chester — for the purpose of creating a 
jDublic park, entitled Chester Park, and on September 6, 1894, the Supreme Court 
authorized the incorporation of certain lands in Nether Providence with Chester 
city. Much land had been donated by Col. Samuel A. Dyer to enlarge the area 
of the f)ark. The efEorts of Edward Dickerson, a prominent contractor and builder, 
added largely to the success of the movement. 

1896. Crosby M. Black elected mayor. 

January 19, 1897, the borough of South Chester enacted an ordinance for 
the annexation of that municipality with the city. On February 27, of that year, 
the Councils of Chester passed an ordinance amiexing South Chester, and at noon 
of that day j\Iayor Black took possession of the Borough Hall and assigned police- 
men to patrol the new territory. Prior to February 16, 1897, an appeal from the 
actions of both the city and borough authorities had been taken to court by citizens, 
and Judge Waddell, of Chester county, granted an injunction and referred the 
whole matter to George E. Darlington to report thereon as Master. The old bor- 
ough officials resumed authority during the litigation. On September 27, 1897, 
the master reported to Judge Hemphill (Judge Waddell having died in the mean- 
time ) , in which he held that the merger of the two municipalities had been 
legally effected. The report was approved. An appeal, however, was taken to the 
Supreme Court, but the bond being defective Judge Clayton made a decree 
ad interim, that the old borough should constitute the ninth ward of the citv', which 
later was divided into the ninth, tenth and eleventh wards. 

1899. Dr. Daniel W. Jefferis elected mayor. 

July 4, 1899, a reception to Eear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, the hero of 
the naval battles of Santiago, was tendered bv the citizens of Chester at Chester 
Park. 

1902. Chester High School building erected. 

1902. Howard H. Houston elected mayor. 

April 21, 1903, the Dela^\■are County Chapter of the Daughters of the Ameri- 
can Bevolution unveiled a bronze tablet on the walls of the Washington House. 
Mayor Howard H. Houston, Dr. P. H. Mowry and others delivered addresses. 

April 20, 1903, the Delaware County Chapter of the Daughters of the Ameri- 
can Bevolution unveiled a bronze tablet at the City Hall, on which occasion ad- 
dresses were made by Mayor Houston, Garnett Pendleton, Esq., Rev. P. H. Mowry 
and others. 

February 10, 1905, William H. Berry was elected mayor by a fusion move- 
ment. In the fall of that year he was elected State Treasurer by the Democratic 
party, and on December 30th resigned the office of mayor. 

January 13. 1906, Samuel E. Turner, President of Select Council, was elected 
mayor by Councils ad inferim to fill the vacancy occurring by William H. Berry's 
resignation. 

April, 1906, Dr. Samuel E. Crothers was elected mayor for two years to fill 
the unexpired term of ex-Mayor Berry. 

October 28, 1907, the Delaware County Historical Society had made most 
elaborate preparations to observe its two hundred and twenty-fifth amiiversary 
of the landing of Penn at Chester, and those in charge felt that the occasion would 
prove a great public demonstration. But the day was a veritable downpour of 
rain, preventing any outdoor exercises. However, exercises were held iu the I^arkin 
Grammar School, and a dramatic presentation given at the Family Theater, while 
in the evening Gov. Edwin S. Stuart, Isaac Sharpless, President of Haverford 
College, and Garnett Pendleton, Esq., made addresses in the Third Presbyterian 
Church. 

1908. David M. John.son elected mayor. 

April 13, 1908, the conductors and motormen of all the trolley lines con- 
trolled by the Chester Traction Company struck for an increase in wages. All 

tii:cnty 




(iioiip«fPilif 



ro^TOrfifpBnikJiiiliisEiiimwil 




centy-ovc 



business in the citj^ was disturbed. The State Constabulary was called into service 
and nearly five mouths elapsed before the boycott by citizens was raised and the 
railways were again able to give undisturbed public service. 

December 17, 1908, the ceremonial presentation of a silver service to the 
United States Scout Cruiser "Chester" was made at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 
Mayor D. M. Johnson, who with fifty officials and citizens had gone thither for 
that purpose, made the presentation address. The "Chester," which was named 
in honor of our city, and whose sponsor was Miss Dorothy, daughter of Senator 
William C. Sproul, had been ordered here in June to receive the service, but be- 
cause of the railway strike the order was countermanded. Xaval Commander 
Henry Baird Wilson accepted the gift on behalf of the vessel and the navy. 

November 27th to December 1, 1909, the United States Cruiser "Chester" 
anchored in the Delaware off this port, and for five days Capt. Henrj^ B. Wilson, 
her commander, officers and crew were the guests of our citizens, who made the 
occasion a memorable incident in the city's history. 

1911. William Ward, Jr., elected mayor. 

October 26, 1912, the two hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the landing 
of Penn at Chester was celebrated, at the Washington House by the Colonial Society 
of Pennsylvania and the Swedish Colonial Society. 

April 19, 1913, Alfred Odenheimer Deshong died leaving to trustees his estate, 
estimated at more than a million dollars, to establish, for the use of the people of 
the city, an art gallery and park in his spacious grounds on Edgmont avenue. 

July 15, 1913, an Act of Assembly passed by the Legislature was approved 
by Governor Tener, providing for a body of five councilmen, one of whom shall 
act as mayor, to govern cities of the third class. 

September 5-10, 1913. The thirty-fourth annual convention of the State Fire- 
men's Association of Pennsylvania was held here. Although the weather was ex- 
tremely hot on Thursday, the day of the parade, the turnout was the largest ever 
witnessed in the history of the association. 

November 4, 1913, the following councilmen were elected under the new Act 
governing cities of the third class: Wesley S. McDowell, Joseph H. Messick, 
J. K. Hagerty and Charles B. Mould; Mayor Ward, having an unexpired term of 
two years to serve, making the required number. The Council first went into 
executive session on the first dav of December follo•^^"ing the election. 




ttcenty-t'WO 




twenty-three 



HOUSING THE WORKING PEOPLE 




By CAROL AROXOVICI, Ph.D. 

HE city of Chester is facing a large expansion of busi- 
ness and an unprecedented increase in its population, 
which must of necessity follow. The future of the city 
will depend not so much upon the number of factories 
it can lure to its jDrecincts, nor upon tlve number of 
workers who find employment in a variety of industries, 
but in the way in which these people live and make their 
homes. Eecent years have shown that it is more advantageous to live 
in the proximity of a large metropolis than to be a part of it. Such 
is the case of Chester. It is within easy reach of Philadelphia and yet 
it is sufficiently distant from its boundaries to render it immune to the 
regrettable urban conditions which large cities must develop, with the 
increase in congestion and the consequent increase in the cost of human 
comfort. There are in the city of Chester hundreds of acres of land, 
which could comfortably accommodate twice as much population than 
is to be found within the limits of the city and provide better homes, 
more open space, less congestion, and a better system of community 
development than is to be found at the present time in any of the Penn- 
sylvania cities or in Chester itself. 

In the matter of housing conditions, Chester is no different than 
other Pennsylvania cities that have been developed without a properly 
worked-out plan. 

With the appointment of a Planning Commission, which has re- 
cently been made mandatory by the State Legislature, and the increased 
])ublic spirit developed in the community by the realization of the com- 
mercial and living opportunities afforded, it is expected that a plan 
will be devised that will meet not only the present needs of the city, but 
that it will prepare the field for a normal future development render- 
ing unsanitary conditions impossible. 

One of the best advantages of Chester is its location in the prox- 
imity of undeveloped land areas which may eventually become a part 
of the city. Those who may be seeking homes are, therefore, not 
confmed to the precincts of the city, as it is legally defined, but can 
easily be within the reach of the center of industrial activity and busi- 
ness sections and still remain close to the open country that has so 



tirenUj-four 




twenty-five 




abundantly been provided with picturesque vistas and easy means of 
access to the social and industrial centers. 

There is a great future before the city if the citizens will only 
realize in time the conditions under which the community should de- 
velop. A recent investigation has shown that the demand for homes 
is very great, but on account of the lack of clearly defined zones of 
industrial, commercial and residential distribution throughout the city, 
there is considerable hesitancy on the part of reliable builders to under- 
take the construction of houses in large numbers. The way is clear, 
however, for the development of a city plan that will be far reaching in 
character and will fix the development lines of the city in accordance with 
its present demands and future needs. It is hoped, however, that when 
a plan is made and home building is encouraged, the laws now in force 
in Chester will be recognized and proper regulations adopted for the 
benefit of those who are ultimately to occupy the houses as well as in 
the interest of existing homes. 

The present emplojTuent capacity of Chester, as far as its indus- 
tries are concerned, can be trebled and the territory now within the 
precincts of the city is ready for development, so that it would accom- 
modate the additional population necessitated by an increase in indus- 
trial activities. 

If we examine the figures concerning the population we find that 
a decided increase has taken place in the last ten years. The citizens 
of Chester are therefore beginning to realize that the time has come 
for the city to develop its natural harbor advantages and the splendid 
industrial sites which are now unused. The lack of more rapid de- 
velopment has not been due to any inlierently unfavorable conditions 
to be found in Chester. They have been due to the conservative poli- 
cies followed by the local government and the difficulty that one must 
encounter in an established community. 

Should the local government and the leading citizens of Chester 
realize the importance of developing its natural resources, and should 
the public come to an understanding of the best methods of community 
development, Chester could not be prevented from becoming the fore- 
most port in the State and one of the world's commercial and indus- 
trial centers. The city should secure the land fronting on the Dela- 
ware river and develop its docking facilities along the most modern 
lines. Land should be offered free of charge to industrial concerns 

twenty-six 




twenty-seven 




willing to take advantage of the local opportunities for locating fac- 
tories within reach of three of the most important railroads of the 
country, and one of the best and safest navigable rivers in the United 
States. Exemptions from taxation, free land and proper docking facili- 
ties would make Chester the commercial and industrial center of the 
Middle Atlantic Coast. This is not a vision, but a clear and feasible 
proposition that has been ti'ied out in European cities with the greatest 
success. 

The city could easily afford to secure a loan, not for the purpose 
of burdening the property owners with responsibilities for extravagant 
street construction or fanciful improvements, but for the purpose of 
giving itself a chance to become what is within the city's power — a 
progressive, active, growing and prosperous community. The increase 
in the number of homes, the large volume of local business, and the 
consequent increase in taxable property, will more than pay for the 
improvements and the exemptions from taxation or gifts of land made 
to incoming industrial plants. Instead of Eddystone and other outlying 
districts, Chester would gain in industrial growth and in population. It 
is all a matter of applying intelligent methods to public business, and 
the future of Chester will be determined not by its conservatism or 
false notions of its natural advantages, but by the actual efforts and 
intelligence applied to the planning of the larger city. 

Chester, as a city of homes, does not represent the highest practical 
standards, nor can one look with favor upon the homes that are being 
provided for wage earners in some sections of the city. There are, 
however, hundreds of acres of land awaiting development, and the city 
is now ready to render the service whereby the unattractive tyjDe of 
building will be replaced by a high type of home worthy of American 
standards and the future prosperity of Chester. 



tirciity-eiglit 




iirriitij-iilllr 



t 




CITY PLANNING 

HESTER has outgrown the accommodations afforded in 
the business sections. West Third street is no longer 
adequate as a district for large stores. There is too 
much congestion in traffic and little chance of advance- 
ment in keeping with the growth and requirements of 
the city. Market street will never be considered a 
modern business thorougiifare unless widened, and un- 
less the smaller and unattractive buildings give way to larger and 
better-class construction. 

EdgTuont avenue, from the railroad to Ninth street, is not likely 
to advance beyond what it represents to-day. 

The question, as to which section of the city will some day be the 
advanced business district, is not easily answered. It is not a random 
thought to predict that Seventh street. Eighth street, and Ninth street, 
from New Market street to Morton avenue, will lai'gely comprise the 
shopping center of Chester in future years. That the present lower re- 
tail district will continue as a trading point goes without saying. It 
will, however, be occupied more largely by merchants who aim to meet 
the demand for tlie cheaper and lower grades of goods. 

Chester can never hope to control all the better-class trade — keep 
it from going to Philadelphia — unless larger and better retail stores 
are provided and conducted in the most modern and attractive manner. 
Philadelphia, because of being only a few minutes' ride from Chester 
by fast train, and only an hour by trolley or boat, and having the largest 
and finest retail stores to be found in any city, will always be more or 
less of an attraction to the housewives of Chester. 

Not that Chester has no live merchants, for it has. But the numl^er 
is not large enough, and their facilities are not great enough, to stem 
the tide of trade traffic from home. 

What then is the remedy at hand? Simply this: Plan your city 
with a view of meeting future requirements. Plan for looking after 
trade and industry as well as the housing of more people. Plan to bring 
the people of outlying districts into the city to make their purchases, 
and give them the right kind of attention when they come. 

It is absolutely necessary that a new city plan be adopted, which 
shall determine years in advance the physical needs of a city that should 



thirty 




^^1 



thirty-one 




at least grow to three times its present size in the next quarter of a 
century. 

Chester will soon have an opportunity of availing itself of the 
benefits of the new Metropolitan Planning Commission, recently ap- 
pointed by Grovernor Tener, under a special Act of the last State 
Legislature. Another recent Act gives to Mayors of third-class cities 
the authority to appoint a "City Commission," whose duty it will be 
to have prepared plans for the future development of the munici- 
pality it represents. In this connection, it is expected that the Chester 
City Commission, when appointed, will work in conjunction with the 
Metroi3olitan Planning Commission.' 

The purpose of the latter Commission is to formulate plans pro- 
viding for parks, boulevards, water, sewerage systems and housing 
facilities, not losing sight of the trade and industrial needs of the 
territory surrounding Philadelphia for a distance of twenty-five miles. 
The services of the world's best experts will be employed by the Com- 
mission to work out the problems of traffic, complex activities, health, 
comforts, and pleasures of a rapidly increasing populace in a rapidly 
growing industrial center, surrounded by a most attractive and fast-ad- 
vancing suburban distiict. 

. It is claimed that, with the exception of Washington, no Amer- 
ican city was ever planned. That Chester was badly laid out there is 
no question. The benefits to be derived from laying down a plan and 
working to it are manifold in things ever so small. How much more 
so should they be when applied to a city the size of Chester ? 

If we have been neglectful there is no good reason why we should 
not profit in the future by the mistakes made in the past. The vari- 
ous planning associations are giving much thought to the suliject. For 
the districts in and about Philadeljihia and Chester, the following rea- 
sons why some comprehensive plan should be adopted, for the better- 
ment of the territory surrounding these cities for twenty-five miles, are 
suggested, as follows: 

Past errors in planning and developing cities and suburban dis- 
tricts, due to allowing their extension under the stimulus of private 
enterprise and according to the dictates of individual interest, have 
heretofore caused large expense to the taxpayers, and will hereafter 
cause greater expense in an effort to correct them. 



thirty-tiro 



Tc^ijoiTerracp 

Frfcledbi/ TlrVinWaffor 




Artc§tor^ 

on Mart\pt§tn!et 




thirty-three 



Lack of consideration of the topographical features of the sur- 
rounding sections in planning for any one political division, and con- 
fining improvements to the arbitrary limits of county, township or 
borough, tend to inefficiency and to increased cost of construction, oper- 
ation and maintenance. 

Public demands require from the authorities services often in ex- 
cess of what the current funds at their conunand allow, consequently 
necessitating the raising of money by bond issues; and suburban dis- 
tricts in and around Philadelphia and Chester are facing large expen- 
ditures to provide proper water supply, sew^ers, highways, garbage- 
disi^osal plants, parks, playgrounds, hospitals for contagious diseases. 

The interests of the section represented by the city of Philadel- 
phia, Chester and their environments would be best served, and a maxi- 
mum of economy and efficiency in construction, operation and mainte- 
nance be secured, by the adoption of some far-sighted and well-conceived 
plan of development, in which the mutual needs of the various political 
divisions are considered as a whole. 

Such results can only be obtained through co-operation and joint 
action by the various political units, and through the preparation by 
experts of a comprehensive plan embracing the entire section, in which 
the sanitary, economic and aesthetic laws governing the contempora- 
neous development of rural, suburban and urban districts, will be care- 
fully considered. 

The best development of the suburban territory surrounding 
Philadelphia and Chester requires the planning, execution and main- 
tenance of such public works as main sewers, main highways, park- 
ways and parks, water supply, collection and incineration of house- 
hold waste, etc., through the voluntary joint action of the various 
communities interested in adopting a comprehensive scheme. 

There is no satisfactory^ provision under our present laws for such 
co-operation or for the supervision and regulation of building opera- 
tions, or for the condemnation of property for parks, playgrounds and 
other public necessities, including power to condemn in excess of that 
required for direct public use, with the right of re-sale under proper 
restrictions of the excess portion, or for the preparation of official 
plans showing the location of future streets, ])arks and other improve- 
ments, and to prevent buildings being erected within the lines of such 
streets. 



thirty-four 




thirty-fine 



■i§^Sjr^®'««>* 



ffinwrn.;. 



Such necessarj' enabling legislation can be secured from the Legis- 
lature only by the united demands of the different suburban districts, 
backed by an aroused public sentiment. 

With a view of arriving at a plan by which the various commvmi- 
ties might be encouraged to join in the movement to further the in- 
terests of the respective districts referred to, a Suburban Planning 
Conference was held in Philadelphia on October 10th, and another in 
Chester, December 11, 1913. Representatives of each goveimmental or 
administrative department in the various political units within twenty- 
five miles of Philadelphia were invited, and both meetings were well 
attended. Other similar conferences will be held during the year 1914 
and a comprehensive report of the result of these gatherings is to be 
.published in i^amphlet form. 

The following concise outline of what City Planning means, as 
stated by Mr. Arthur C. Comey. Consultant on City Planning, ]\Iember 
Massachusetts Homestead Commission, and American Society of 4^' 
Landscape Architects, at a recent meeting in Library Hall, this city, 
is well worth studying : 



CITY PLANNING MEANS: 

Conservation of human energy 
and life. 

Economy, necessity, scientific 
reality. 

A definite plan of orderly devel- 
opmeiat into which each im- 
provement will fit as it is 
needed. 

Business methods for citv work. 



Correlation of the city's activi- 
ties. 



Not merely superficial beautifi- 
cation. 

Not extravagance, dreams, fads. 



Not the immediate execution of 
the whole ]ilan. 

Not the surrender of the city to 
artists with vague schemes for 
civic advancement. 

Not wholesale alterations at 
great expense, with no assured 
financial returns. 



thirty-six 



Encouragement of commerce and 
facilitation of business. 

Preservation of historic build- 
ings with their associations. 



The development of an American 
city. 



Not the interruption of commerce 
and business. 

Not the destruction of the old 
landmarks and city individ- 
uality. 

Not imitation of London, Vienna 
and Paris. 



Exercise of common 
and prudence. 



foresight Not ruinous expense and debt. 



Happiness, convenience, 
for all citizens. 



health 



Not merely expensive boulevards 
and parks available to the rich. 
AVith the above interesting thoughts and suggestions on how Ches- 
ter could be still further advanced, let us turn our attention to the 
industrial ojaportunities the city affords. 




THE OLD TOWN HALL 

HE new administration should use every means avail- 
able to further the movement to restore the Old Town 
Hall to its original form and perpetuate this historic 
structure to future generations. Philadelphia thought 
enough of Congress Hall to have that structure restored 
to its original shape, and the nation applauded the act. 
There is not a more historically valuable public build- 
ing in Pennsylvania or elsewhere than Chester's town hall. For 
nearly two hundred years has it been uninterruptedly used as a public 
building. It is one of the oldest landmarks in Pennsylvania and has 
been associated with the early history of the nation like few other 
buildings in the country. 

Chester needs larger and better municipal quarters. Such could 
readily be provided by the erection of a building in the rear of the 
old hall, and at a cost that would mean a saving to the city over its 
present cost of providing for the various departments. 

The Old Town Hall should be treasured for its historic value and 
its presei'vation amid attractive surroundings, is a duty we should not 
hesitate to perform. The lately retired Councils did what they could 
to pave the way for bringing about the proper care of the old building 
and providing for a modern municipal administrative building. A 
single official seems to have blocked the consummation of what the 
Mayor and all other city officials favored. The delay is thought to be 
only temporary, however. 

It will l)e a shame and lasting disgrace to the citizens of Chester 
if they sit idly by and i^ermit the Old Town Hall to lose its historical 
identity by going into disuse and decay. It is also no less imjwrtant 
that more proper accommodations be provided for the various depart- 
ments of the city. This can only be done, with credit to the munici- 
])ality, l)y the erection of a new and modern buildino-. 



fhirty-seven 




INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITIES 

EW cities afford greater opportunities for trade expan- 
sion than does Chester. Its natural facilities are un- 
surpassed. It is a great manufacturing center and is 
destined to become much greater. 
j-^Hi Year by year the lines of manufacture within its 

■<P borders and the immediate surroundings are becoming 
— ^ more and more diversified. In the last five years some 
of the greatest industries known to the world have located at Chester 
or in its outskirts, and many smaller plants have cast their lot with 
us in the same period of time. Time was when a depression in the 
textile trade of the country made Chester dull, indeed. That was a 
quarter of a century or more ago, when the larger percentage of our 
wage earners were "textile workers and Chester had few other lines 
of industry. While there are at present large textile plants giving 
employment to Chester labor, the greatest percentage of our workmen 
are employed in the iron and steel industries. 

Chester wants more people and more industries. More people to 
make use of its very desirable home sites ; more industries to make use 
of its unsurpassed manufacturing sites. 

The splendid views of industrial plants, as shown in the engrav- 
ings of this book, convey an idea of the size and importance of a num- 
ber of the manufacturing concerns in Chester and vicinity. Some of 
them are world famous ; many more are not equaled in other cities. 

No better proof of Chester's superior advantages over other places 
could be offered, to the manufacturer in search of a new location, than 
the fact that we have here the best industrial sites to be found in the 
United States. This assertion is backed by indisputable evidence. _ 

In the first place consider Chester as the cradle of the American 
Navy, for here it was that the first steel war vessels for the United 
States were built, and no better cruiser, gunboat, or merchant vessel 
ever floated the American flag, or that of any other nation, than those 
built and launched under the direction of the late John B. Eoach and 
his father before him. Since the death of the son this industry has 
been abandoned and the great shipyard, which was once the pride of 
Chester, is only history to the younger generation. 



thirtii-eight 




thirty-nine 




In one of the cuts of this book will be seen the tall masts that 
stand as sentinels of the past, and which mark the site of what was 
once Roach's shipyard. None of the older residents can view the pic- 
ture without a feeling of sadness. The closing, for all time, of the 
Delaware River Shipbuilding & Engine Works, was the heaviest blow 
Chester ever experienced. It was the life's ambition of its founder 
that, in addition to the building of ships, a great and modern dry-dock 
should become a part of Chester. The old shipyard site and some of the 
adjacent lands would be ideal for such an enterprise. 

It is to be hoped that the dream of that sturdy pioneer, who, by 
his foresight, skill and industi'y, did so much to advertise and bring 
fame to Chester on the high seas and in every port of the civilized 
world, will be some day actualized by the building of a dry-dock, headed 
by Chester capitalists, that may serve as a fitting monument to the 
memory of the one who was, industrially speaking, the backlione of 
Chester — John Roach. 

Naturally, time has brought about many changes in industrial lines 
here. The pioneers in manufacture have ]iassed away and, with their 
departure, in not a few cases, did also stop the machinery that for 
years represented the basis of employment to hands and jirofit to the 
mill owner. Other men and other kinds of industries have, how- 
ever, taken their places, so that with very few exceptions there are 
no idle factory buildings here. Many new and varied industries have 
come to this district in recent years. Those which have come are pros- 
perous and are growing more so year by year. 

Unquestionably the largest addition to Chester's long list of in- 
dustries was made when that largest of all industrial plants. The Bald- 
win Locomotive Works, located at its very door. In all, the Baldwin 
plant covers an area of 224 acres. This is land enough to house a popu- 
lation of 13,440 people, based on twelve families to the acre. 

Some idea of the greatness of this industry may be gathered by 
quoting from an address delivered by Mr. Alba B. Johnson, president 
of The Baldwin Locomotive Works, on the occasion of a "Know-Your- 
Neighbor" dinner, tendered ~Slr. Johnson by the citizens of Chester, 
under the direction of the Civic Advancement Commission, in January 
of last year. The affair was one of the most notable gatherings ever 
held in Chester and was i>articii)ated in liy manufacturers, business 

forf/i 




forty -one 




and professional men, representing interests of upwards of 100 million 
dollars. 

Mr. Johnson reviewed the history of The Baldwin Locomotive 
Works from 1831, the year that Matthias W. Baldwin began the con- 
struction of "Old Ironsides," his first locomotive, and which required 
one year in its construction. 

"The first locomotive weighed four and one-half tons," stated Mr. 
Johnson, "while the average weight of locomotives constructed last 
year was 150 tons, and the maximum weight was about 250 tons. It 
took thirty years to construct the first 1000 locomotives." 

It seems that the capacity of the works grew rapidly after the 
civil war, for the number of locomotives turned out in 1861 was 100, 
compared with one a day in 1876. By 1880 the plant was manufac- 
turing locomotives at the rate of 500 a year. This was still further in- 
creased to 1000 a year in 1900, and to 2500 a year in 1906. 

Mr. Johnson told of the Baldwin works finding it necessary to 
branch out in 1906, as the Philadelphia plant was not anything like large 
enough to take care of the orders. In May of that year the property 
at Eddystone, a suburb of Chester, was purchased. Here follows a 
brief description of some of the buildings erected: Foundry, 900 feet 
long and 320 feet in width, followed by smith shojDS, pattern shops, pat- 
tern storage houses, and a power house. Because of the business de- 
pression of 1908-1909 no further development was made during these 
years, but in 1910 a new erecting shop was built, which was enlarged 
in ]912. This building covers nearly ten acres of ground alone. 

Quoting from Mr. Johnson's speech, we find that the number of 
emploves at the Eddvstone plant was "1100 in 1906; 2850 in 1907; 2400 
in 1908; 2400 in 1909; 4200 in 1910; 3650 in 1911; 7000 in 1912." And 
here follows an interesting statement, where he says : 

"Fiirther development of these works will be made as rapidly as 
the business conditions of the country justify. Plans have been pre- 
pared for a modern, comprehensive plant capable of turning out 3000 
of the largest locomotives per annum. As the labor of ten men is re- 
quired per locomotive, per annum, if these plans are realized, these 
works should eventually require a force of 30,000 men. Assuming an 
average of five persons to a family, this represents a pojnilation of 
150,000 without counting the large additional population necessary to 
supply the general needs of the community." Continuing, 'Sir. John- 

forty-two 




forty-three 




son said: "Of 6840 men employed at Eddystone, it was ascertained 
that 3555 were residents of Chester, 505 were residents of the sub- 
urban districts between Chester and Philadelphia, and 2780 were resi- 
dents of Philadelphia, finding transportation to Eddystone over the 
Pennsylvania and the Baltimore & Ohio railroads, and over the trolley 
lines." 

The above somewhat lengthy descrijotion of what The Baldwin 
Locomotive Works is and, as appears at a glance, must be to Chester, 
is set forth in order that those who read these pages may become con- 
versant with its magnitude and importance. Before directing our 
thoughts to another subject, let us stop long enough to consider Mr. 
Johnson's closing remarks, as follows: 

"The interests of The Baldwin Locomotive Works are bound up 
with the interests of Chester. What is best for you is best for us. The 
days of civic inactivity should be over. I call upon you, citizens of 
Chester, to realize the fact that by birthright in this great state of 
Pennsylvania, by jonv magnificent situation upon the shore of the Dela- 
ware river, by the splendid lands available for residence, by the intel- 
ligence of your people, you are a part of the great manufacturing com- 
munity which must of necessity develop, because you occupy one of 
the most favorable situations in our country. With unequaled trans- 
portation by land and sea, with unsurpassed access to raw materials 
of every kind, with intelligent and industrious labor ready to make their 
homes amongst you, by ample capital 
and enterprise, ready to distribute 
weekly such sums for wages and mate- , 
rials as to constitute the life blood of , 
commerce, the future is in your hands : 
to create a great city if you will intelli- 
gently adopt the highest civic ideals." 

it is not out of place to state that , 
The Baldwin Locomotive Works, after 
eighty-two years of continuous opera- 
tion, completed its forty-thousandth 
locomotive about the first of Sejitember 
last. 

Locomotive No. 40,000 is one of 
thirty similar engines built for the 
Pennsylvania lines west of Pittsbuj'gh. ■ 







forty-four 



:uiiiotlf«*i/oi'te 




forty-five 



It is used for heavy passenger service, is of the "Pacific" type with 
three pairs of driving wheels, and weighs about 150 tons. 

Just as good judgment led men lilie Alba B. Johnson and his 
co-workers to come to Chester and establish the needed enlargement 
of The Baldwin Locomotive Works, so, too, good judgment was the 
means of the American Viscose Company locating at Marcus Hook, 
a suburb of this city. The latter enterprise is also a new and most 
important industry. It was founded by English capitalists who came 
to this country to establish a branch plant of one of the greatest indus- 
trial enterprises known to the world. 

Artificial silk is the commodity manufactured, and the immense 
plant at Marcus Hook is constantly being increased to meet the de- 
mand for this very popular and useful product. 

The key to "The Dawn of a New Era" for Chester is the self- 
reliance of its people. There are no weak or cracked links in the chain 
of progress that is being lengthened out at the forge of industry. 

No gem sparkles so gracious as enterprise, and no other place 
holds out more inducements for the development of enterprise than 
does this city. 

As the title page of this book states, Chester and vicinity is "Full 
of Opportunities." It has more to offer than most other places, be- 
cause few are so well situated. It has more to commend it than other 
places, because its natural facilities are greater than those of any 
other city. In short, no other city presents so many industrial oppor- 
tunities as does Chester. Its activity is fully protected by the un- 
bounded wealth of its resources ; its hum of industry fully reciprocated 
by the peace and happiness of its people. 



forty-six 




forty-seven 




forty-eight 




forty-nine 








NATURAL RESOURCES 

OCATED as Chester is, in close proximity to the biggest 
trading centers of the United States, it is an ideal place 
for those who are here and others who may wish to 
come and share in its advantages as a commercial and 
industrial city. Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore and 
Washington are within easj^ reach of Chester and afford 
means of interchange in commerce and trade, by rail 
and water, not equaled elsewhere. 

Its natural resources are many. Being practically a seaport town, 
with the advantages of a superior inland harbor, places Chester in a 
most enviable position as compared to other cities. It is a city destined 
to become a great shipping center, greater than Philadelphia, because 
of its excellent water front. Far-sighted men of affairs predict that a 
continuous-dock system, reaching from Crum river to the Delaware 
State line, a distance of approximately seven miles, will be the future 
facilities of the jjort of Chester. To bring this about will require an 
expenditure of millions of dollars, in which expense both the State and 
National Government are expected to share. 

In reality, Chester to-day has a population of 60,000 people, if 
the adjoining boroughs are considered. In the next twenty-five years 
the population is likely to reach 200,000, for by that time the city boun- 
daries will be extended to the Ridley Park borough line on the east 
and to the Delaware State line on the west. 

As indicated by the map at the end of this book, that amount of 
territory added to Chester of to-day will comprise about ten square 
miles and provide for a population of 275,000, based on twelve families 
to the acre, after deducting part of the area for industrial establish- 
ments, and setting aside 500 acres for churches, schools, parks and 
playgrounds. 

Along the Delaware river front are many industries, but there 
is room for more. Manufacturing is in its infancy here. Eight million 
dollars are paid annually in wages to the working people of Chester. 
This will be greatly increased. 

Three important tributary rivers — Crum, Ridley and Chester — 
empty into the majestic Delaware and are navigable for some distance 



Pftu 








8ric|e,^ at»d.5uiidir|gs 



fifty-one 






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•iS ^ — «« ^ ■=!; Ji5 '-^ 

Q^ r= ^ ^ ^ S £ 




pftij-three 



inland for small draft vessels. All these streams add value to Ches- 
ter's resources. 

Thousands of acres of land, with small hamlets dotted here and 
there, plenty of woodland and splendid roadways, serve as a back- 
ground for Chester on the banks of the Delaware. All this, added to 
a climate in which the winters are mild and the heat of summer never 
excessive, makes Chester an ideal jjlace in which to live. It is a good 
"all-the-year- 'round" climate, pleasing in summer as well as in winter. 

Cyclones and tornadoes ai^e unknown to Chester. The district com- 
prising the city and surroundings is rarely visited by wind storms of 
any kind, such disturbances passing either over or around the city. An 
occasional thunder storm during the summer season breaks over the 
community, but never with disastrous results. 

After all is said, the chief attractions of Chester are its natural 
resources and acquired facilities, its even climate, its steady growth, its 
superior advantages over other places and, last but not least, the induce- 
ments it holds out to those seeking homes or industrial sites. 




fifty-four 




fifty-five 




TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES 

HESTER, because of its geographical position, has many 
advantages as a center of industry, commerce, and 
trade. In point of shipping it is practically a seaport 
town, being fifteen miles nearer the sea than Philadel- 
phia, the third largest port in the United States. The 
historic Delaware river is, in ti'uth, Chester's greatest 
asset. It indeed provides a great water front, as it 
skirts the city on its way eighty-four miles to the sea. It is one 
and a quarter miles across its bosom from Chester to the New Jersey 
shore, and has a channel thirty-five feet deep, sufficient to accommo- 
date the largest of ocean-going vessels. All kinds of craft, from the 
speed or pleasure motor boat to a full-rigged ship of commerce or 
ocean liner, may be seen at any hour of the day or night skimming over 
or ploiaghing through its smooth or choppy bosom. Vessels from for- 
eign shores dock and discharge their cargoes at Chester, under the 
supervision of the Customs officials of the port. 

Many ships are loaded here with cargoes for foreign markets. 
Among the industries that have their own fleets of vessels may be 
mentioned the Sun Company, located at Marcus Hook, a suburb on the 
west, which sends out shipload after shipload of petroleum and its 
by-products to all parts of the world. 

The products more largely imported to this port are iron and chrome 
ores, magnesite, gypsum, logwood, fustic and mahogany ; paper and wood 
pulp. In the line of exports, refined oil is the chief product shipped. 
There are also large car shipments made of fireproofing materials and 
fire bricks to Canada and other points. 

The Pennsylvania, Baltimore & Ohio, and Philadelphia & Reading 
railroads provide for shipments to and from all parts of the United 
States. Both the freight and passenger service extended to Chester 
by the above-named three trunk roads is superior to that of most any 
other city. 

A business trip to New York City can be made in two and a half 
hours. Washington can be reached in three hours' time, while but 
twenty minutes is required to ride to Philadelphia. There are 125 pas- 
senger trains that stop at Chester daily. Not many cities of the size 
of Chester can boast of such extensive transportation facilities. Then, 
too, the freight accommodations by rail are equal to the passenger serv- 
ice. All three roads handle through freight, and rates from the East 
and West are equal to those accorded Philadelphia. 

The Chester Freight Line has three large vessels that run from 
Marcus Hook to Philadelphia daily, except Sunday, and freight is 
taken on and discharged at Chester, Eddystone and other places. These 
vessels afford a quick means of transportation, and the splendid serv- 
ice is of great value to the manufacturers and business men of Chester. 
An additional feature of travel is that atforded by the river steam- 
ers plying between Wilmington, Chester and Philadelphia, to say noth- 
ing of the many excursion boats that ply the waters to various points 
in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. 



Hfty-nix 



■^k 



t- 



-rrr-r-i »'i ^ 





fifty-seven 




^'^^^' 



fifly-eighi 







Jvlercup Arc 
Rc(h^^erOll1fif 



fifty-nine 




LOW COST OF LIVING 

ECAUSE of its location, Chester affords better and 
cheaper markets in the line of foodstuff than many 
(itlier ijlaces. It is here that the products of three states 
are brought to the doors of the dealer and the con- 
sumer. New Jei'sey contributes abundantly. The Jer- 
sey sweet potato is known far and wide for its flavor 
and sustenance. Various other lines of vegetables and 
many kinds of fruit are brought to Chester markets from the sandy 
soil of that state. Delaware supplies peaches and berries, eggs, butter 
and other table delicacies, while the products from the farming dis- 
tricts of Pennsylvania are brought to the city in all freshness and 
abundance. 

Because of a large packing house being established here, the people 
of Chester are provided with more and better meats than otherwise 
would be the case. The products of western houses and home-di'essed 
meats are displayed in our markets, side by side, with the patronage 
of our people favoring the home-killed product. 

Then, too, the oyster from the beds of the Delaware and Susque- 
hanna bays furnishes a succulent food for eight months of the year, 
while the toothsome Delaware river shad has few, if any, equals the 
world over. Many other kinds of fish are caught in nearby streams for 
home consumption, and game in great variety is also to be had. 

Chester is an ideal place for a workingman to live. He can enjoy 
a better table and at less cost than is to be had elsewhere. The variety 
of edibles is so much greater than most cities afford that foods, which 
may be termed luxuries in other places, are only of commonplace attrac- 
tion here. 

During the winter months vegetables and fruits from the South 
are as readily to be had here as in Florida. The fact is, Chester shares 
all the advantages in the way of edibles that do Washington, Baltimore, 
Philadelphia or New York. There are no hindrances to the comfort 
of the workingman and nothing in the way of supplj-ing the necessities 
and luxuries of his home at less cost than can be had in other places. 
So many markets and such great variety to meet our needs in the 
line of table supplies are what makes Chester less costly to live in than 
most places. It is here that the consumer has every opportunity to save 
in cost of living by buying in large quantities. Another saving feature 
is to pay as you go and thus avoid unnecessaiy purchases. The work- 
ingmen and women here have largely reached the stage of paying cash 
and accepting credit only when absolutely necessary. They are not 
much gifted to useless extravagance, preferring to be content with tlie 
necessaries of life and such pleasures they can afford, rather than waste 
money on shams and false appearances. 



sixty 




n y-one 




MANUFACTURE 

CITY of its size has gained more publicity the woi'ld 
over as a manufacturing center tliau Chester. This is 
largely due to the fact that here were built ships of 
war, merchant and passenger vessels, that are now tra- 
versing the high seas in all parts of the world. Here, 
too, the products of iron and steel, spindle and loom, 
have found a ready market throughout the United 
States and foreign countries. A century or more of uninterrupted in- 
dustrial activity has won honor and fame for the oldest city in Penn- 
sylvania. Unsurpassed transportation facilities, by rail and water, 
places commercial Chester in the foreground in respect to progress 
and trade. Here has been solved successfully the force of water and 
steam, the spasms of electricity, the brilliancy of gas, the ductability 
of metals, the refining of oil, the production of silk. Indeed, the speed 
of the locomotive, the power of the stationary engine, the construction 
of ships, the fabric of the loom, the casting of steel, the printing of cloth, 
the making of paper, the molding and burning of brick, the calcining 
of gypsum, and dyewood extracts, have all been brought to the highest 
state of perfection in this city. 

The captains of industry of the past, as well as those of the pres- 
ent, all had obstacles to surmount. If we look back upon their foot- 
prints, see some of their many helps and hindrances, we cannot know 
of the silent inner struggles of their lives, or the windings of their 
pathways. With few exceptions, the industries of years ago in Chester 
were successful and those of to-day are prosperous. Genius and thrift, 
combined with wide-awake, intelligent, observation of the markets; ex- 
ecutive precaution in the handling of labor and the wise expenditure 
of money contributed largely to the success of these enterprises. 

There is plenty of work and plenty of room for employer and em- 
l>loye here. Wliat the joast has left undone, the future will accom- 
plish. There is no better field for progress, and it is the belief of those 
who are capable of knowing, that Chester is just entering a new era of 
prosperity. 

At this time there are about 150 industries, large and small, in 
Chester and its immediate vicinity, representing an investment in the 
neighborhood of $75,000,000. They give employment to a vast army of 
employes, variously estimated between 10,000 and 12,000 men, women 
and children. The wages paid are between $8,000,000 and $10,000,000 
annually. 

There is every indication that Chester will continue to develop as 
an industrial center and a good place to live. It is a city of steam- 
hammer, forge, pulley, crank-shaft, tooth-wheel, steel furnace, loom and 
spindle, and values are shining everywhere. 

The many and extensive manufacturing plants along the Delaware 
river and the railroads are certain to grow in size each year, until 
Chester becomes a veritable bee hive of industry, with three times its 

sixti/-two 



present population and an 
enlarged area, in keeping 
with a proposed "Greater 
Chester," as indicated on 
the map expressly prepared 
and bonnd in the back of this 
volume. Chester has a right, 
indeed, to rejoice at its own 
success and the triumph of 
its many achievements. 

Although Chester has 
some of the largest plants 
known to the country, it also 
invites small factories. Not 
a few of the smaller indus- 
tries have cast their lot with 
us of late. There is ample 
room for more and every in- 
ducement is held out to all 
in search of a well-balanced 
industrial center. 




3Bfon of Casinil for loooo ^HtirbiiiP 
fn(i#b^Un)ori{'(tnStpei nmndnes Si)(^skr 



— tleo eifeftet ( 



1 




sixty-three 




.liTiy-foiir 




sixty-five 




LABOR 

^HILE the population of Chester proper does not, per- 
haps, exceed 40,000, that amount is increased fiftj' per 
cent, by tlie adjoining borouglis, whose interests with 
Cliester are closely interwoven. A glance at the indus- 
trial life in and about Chester convinces one tliat no line 
can be drawn between districts from the viewpoint of 
labor, the manufacturer's needs and commercial require- 
ments. Both steam and electric railways make intercommunication 
easy. People living in Chester are in many cases employed in indus- 
tries or places of business in the adjoining boroughs, and even in Phila- 
delphia. On the other liand, persons living in near-by places, or as far 
away as the "Quaker City," find being employed here advantageous. 
The number of people employed in Chester and the immediate 
boroughs is approximately, at this time, 10,000, and the greater portion 
of the number are American born. Chester, however, has its share of 
foreigners, such as Italians, Polish and Russian Jews; while twenty 
per cent, of the city's population is colored. In some sections of the 
city the foreigners have colonized, to some degree, each nationality 
keeping pretty much separated from others. In a large number of 
cases they have acquired property, mostly in the older districts of the 
city. There seems to be plenty of employment for both male and female 
foreign help. They soon take to the ways and customs of American 
life and, in the main, become useful citizens. Their social life has fea- 
tures not altogether in keeping with our laws and customs. Showy 
weddings and christenings are hobbies of all foreign newcomers of 
the nationalities referred to. It miglit be said that these gatherings 
assume proportions of a big noise, and it matters not if it be Sunday 
or Monday, excess ijrivileges are expected to be enjoyed just the same. 
As to the colored population, the number does not seem to liave 
increased to any extent for some years. Not enough of the colored 
people have steady employment to make them self-sustaining. The 
women mostly do laundering and house cleaning, while many of the 
men find employment in some of the industries of the city. 

Some serious attention should be given to the negro question in 
Chester. Every advantage in the line of school education is afforded 
the children, but not enough attention is given to the negro to lift him 
into channels which might serve to broaden the opportunity to earn 
a living. Elections do not come often enough to make the negro so 
independent as to invite idleness between contests. The result too often 
is that he becomes a burden to himself and the community, and not 
infrequently a menace to society. Altogether, the outlook for the col- 
ored race in Chester, is not very promising. The lack of responsi- 
bility, and an adverse disposition to advance, places most of the negro 
population of Chester in a somewhat helpless state, to say the least. 
Chester, however, has plenty of skilled labor, and there is room 
for more. The iron and steel, and textile industries, as well as the 
many other diversified lines of manufacture, afford means of employ- 
ment at good wages for all who want work. No well disposed work- 
ingman need be idle for any great length of time in Chester. The same 
may be said of the working women. 

sixty-six 



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sixty-seven 




SUBURBAN IDEALS 

HE suburban districts that surround Chester on the east, 
north and west (the city is bounded on tiie south by the 
Delaware river) are indeed ideal for living. The suburbs 
of Chester are full of appreciation of natural outdoor 
life. The country seat, cottage and bungalow stand so 
near the city as to be only a matter of a few minutes' 
ride by train or trolley to the shop or place of busi- 
ness. Recreation of some kind is absolutely necessary to the health of 
the human body and mind. In summer you may prefer to walk along 
the running streams that wind their way through the rural districts, 
away from the congregations of humanity, to be alone, or almost so. 
Everyone desires at some time to be alone with nature, to study her 
moods, delight in her sequestered spots of beaut}', dressed and guided 
only by her lavish hand. 

Picture yourself standing on some hill brow, enraptured with the 
magnificent view of country, rivers, and woodland, extending miles in 
every direction; and again, in some narrow gully or ravine, of which 
one side may be a grassy slope, the other clothed with the trees of a 
woods, and where tiny but never-failing streams of spring water in 
the bottom keep the shrubs and plants that grow in profusion in full 
leaf and flower until late autumn, and you have some conception of 
Chester's suburban ideals. 

In spring the opening buds and blossoming trees, the bright- 
ening lawns, the returning birds, the placing in the ground of vege- 
table seed, plants and flowers, all tell us that the season of promise 
is here. 

In the summer everything seems to possess life and animation. 
One may see the birds skimming over the fields, or hear their voices 
in the trees and hedges the whole day long, or spend the day with rod 
and line along the many streams which afford pleasure and pastime 
to those who have patience and are gifted in the way of piscatorial art. 

Autumn brings with it the crisp and chilly air that quickens your 
footsteps and brings a healthy complexion to the cheek. It also brings 
with it the beautiful and variegated foliage so abundant on the hills 
and in the valleys of Delaware county. Then it is that the birds flock 
together for their yearly tour South. 

Even in the season of winter, Jack Frost and the storm king have 
no terrors for the suburbanites. The lakes and smaller streams are 
covered with ice, affording pleasure to the young of heart. There is 
at times snow enough to provide good sleighing; transportation by rail 
and trolley is seldom seriously interfered with and life goes merrily 
on. It is here that winter has beauties and attractions equal to the 
other seasons. 

The several splendid city and suburban homes and grounds shown 
elsewhere in this book will convey, as well as plates can do, some idea 
of the beauties of Chester and its suburbs. Those who possess these 

sixty-eight 




sixty-nine 







♦' ^^■■* I Bft^ 



seventy 



estates are men who have made a success in life and who are now' en- 
joying the fniits that come only from pure motive and the highest 
sense of duty to themselves, their fellowmen and the State. Tliey are 
men whose motives and deeds make character and provision for the 
future that will stand the storms of temptation and reverses that heat 
up life's patliway. They are men of executive talent and power to man- 
age well large enterprises ; the power to handle men and facts ; the 
power to carry a scheme or purpose or plan into immediate or telling 
etifect; the i^ower to "rvm things"' generally, or make them "go." 

Energy, perseverance and a strict attention to business brought 
them success and prosperity. Each one did not reach success by the 
same road, but they all possessed both interest in their business and 
perseverance to continue. They well knew that he who aims at nothing 
cannot reasonably expect to hit anything. They also learned that the 
objective point is the point to be made, the thing to be done. 




li^eMawrnoflf^toraierEanSare filled \v^^^^^^ . ,. . 



sei!Oifi/-o«e 




MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS 

HESTER, in the past three years, has made creditable ad- 
vancement in the line of public improvements. This is 
particularly true in the matter of newly paved streets. 
While the greater portion of street paving done in that 
time has been "Filbertine," a plastic pavement, that 
much resembles "Bitulithic" construction, much ijioney 
was also expended in putting down wood blocks and 
other types of street paving. That the city received full return for 
the money expended is generally conceded. It is a truthful boast of 
Chester that it is to-day the best paved third-class city in Pennsylvania. 
But well-paved streets are only one of the many requirements of 
a city that is advancing and has every advantage for growth and ex- 
pansion. Streets once paved will not take care of themselves. They 
must be kept clean, and it is a well-known fact that they also wear out. 
To keep the streets clean and tidy requires system and money. With- 
out the former we are very apt to have waste, and without the latter 
expended effort is of little consequence. Good system and little money 
is better, however, than much money and no system. 

To inaugurate and carry out a perfect system means to have the 
confidence and co-operation of the public. Without such a combina- 
tion, the result will be failure, indeed. 

During the past administration the Street Department has done 
well, considering the handicaps that confronted it. Not near enough 
money was available to keep the streets in proper order. When the 
street commissioner had exhausted his skill and allowance, and there 
seemed to be no other remedy, heavy rains not inopportunely came to 
the rescue. 

The more paved streets, the more cost in the up-keep of our thor- 
oughfares. But the public can do much to lessen the burden of the 
Street Department by exercising care and thoughtfulness. Waste paper 
and other trash should never be allowed to find a lodging place on 
our streets or in the alleys of the city. It is all a matter of the proper 
system and right kind of education. 

The new council, which represents practically the commission form 
of government, will have an opportunity to study the situation and 
solve a way out of the difficulty that was, perhaps, not possible under 
the old system of making and enforcing laws. As each councilman will 
be a department in himself and, in turn, be personally responsible to 
the i^ublic for the success or failure of his department, the best results 
are expected. It will take time, however, to formulate plans, study the 
needs of the city and then act. 

The old form of thirty-three councilmen and a mayor did well, 
under the conditions that prevailed. It was the system, not the coun- 
cilmen, that was wrong. Men devoting their time and service without 
pay are not expected to accomplish as much good as men under fair 
salary. Then, too, "what is everybody's business, is nobody's busi- 
ness." In other words, there was no way by which to fasten respon- 
sibility on anyone under the old rule of government. Now it is dif- 
ferent, and better results shoiild follow. 

AVhile Chester is destined to forge aJiead in rapid order, the muni- 



cipal autliorities can do much to hasten or retard its growth. A too 
penurious policy is worse than extravagance. By the former we are 
likely to get nothing; by the latter, surely something for the good of 
the community. A middle-in-the-road policy is, after all, the best one to 
adopt. 

It is a foregone conclusion that the new council will not be in 
position to advance the city along the lines of public improvements to 
the extent that the councils lately retired, did. The duty of carrying 
out unfinished contracts is a legacy left to the new council by the old. 
This applies to further street improvements. But the new council 
can do much in planning for Chester's future, the benefits of which 
may not be apparent during the two years of its official life. 

Steam, as it rushes out of the exhaust pipes, makes a great noise 
and whizzing, but it accomplishes nothing. It is only when the mighty 
power is rightly confined and applied that it puts in motion the arms 
of the ponderous engine. The same truth holds good as regards the 
management of a city and the developing of its resources. The doing 
of the right thing at the right time is what counts. 

There is something more to be done besides kindling fires and gen- 
erating steam in a growing industrial center, and success comes to the 
municipality whose officials exercise the kind of tact that makes each 
act and deed tell for good. 







(^oil\|)(lllV 

f faind'ati(lniJ)kc.s 

(IHOUOIHI iMllldluolmcll 
dniiM.illv" 



seventy-three 




MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT 

HESTEE, like other municipalities that have progressed 
through a long period of years in upbuilding, has ex- 
perienced occasional "knocks" against the city's public 
servants for alleged misconduct. It may be conceded 
that Chester, like other municipalities, has made mis- 
takes. But these instances have been isolated — few and 
far between. For close observers of Chester's muni- 
cipal conduct — politicians, newspapermen and others in position to 
carefully note official doings — in summing up long years of this city's 
official oversight, bear witness that honesty and general efficiency have 
been the rule, and as a result there are few American municipalities that 
can boast of a healthier financial and general condition than is that of 
Chester to-day. 

Some three years ago Chester had a total net indebtedness of a 
little more than $400,000 and it was then determined, by popular vote, 
to increase the city's bonded liability by $600,000, with which sum 
great improvements in paving, sewerage, wharfage, etc., could be accom- 
plished in one momentous advance. The result of this wise move is 
shown in the city having, compared to population, more miles of well- 
paved streets than any other municipality in the State of Pennsylvania, 
and which fact causes the citizens of this community to point with pride 
to their home city. 

Chester's bonded debt, at the last annual report of the City Treas- 
urer in April, 1913, was $1,201,000, less $207,871.31 held in reserve in 
the several sinking funds to meet maturing obligations. Considering 
that the assessed valuation of the city is only $19,183,402 — conceded 
by property owners much lower than is fair to the municipality — and 
that the tax rate is only five and one-quarter mills for general purposes, 
with four and one-quarter mills to provide for maturing bonds (or a total 
of ten mills), it may be noted that Chester as a corporate city is finan- 
cially not overburdened. Particularly is this recognized when it is 
taken into consideration that with a pojiulation of 40,000 the per capita 
debt of Chester is only about $25, or far below that of the average 
municipality in this country. 

Taken as a whole, therefore, and viewing the municipal manage- 
ment of Chester through a long vista of years, it is conceded by all 
intelligent and well-informed citizens that the city can feel proud of 
the great work that has been accomplished for this "best town on 
earth," as it has been termed, and reflect with satisfaction over the 
integrity that has been manifested by the city's trusted officials — with 
rare exceptions — in the management of the city. 

On the first Monday of December, 1913, in pursuance of a new 
Legislative enactment, Chester entered upon a system of commission 
government, vested in five Councilmen, one of whom acts as Mayor. 
It is believed this method of administration, with five instead of the 

seventy-four 



past rule of thirty-three Councihnen, will provide for a more concrete 
form of mmiicipal management, a better business form, be more 
accessible to tlie general pulilic, and provide municipal l>etterments in 
raanv wavs. 




5^#^4i Hi" 



m 



A IDOllPff) (111(1 Mlt)^^(1lltl(]l 

TMC/V^lllldlljil 




^TvuttTCdiTJ^i 



Tl)if(lPrp^b^toriai)CtiitiTl)'(iii(ll^liill^e 




seven fy-fi r<_ 



CHURCHES 




HEEE are in the neighborhood of fifty churches or places 
of worship in the district comprising Chester, repre- 
senting a variety of denominations in keeping with 
other places. Many of the edifices are beautiful and 
costly in exterior and interior architecture. Our 
churches have a wholesome influence over the morals 
of the community and are open to the cry of the needy, 
no matter whether the need be spiritual or temporal. Civic righteous- 
ness and religious training go hand in hand, though there be differ- 
ences of opinion. While society has its bubbles here, so biasiness cir- 
cles have their bubbles and religion its bubbles, — for life is full of bub- 
bles, — but their fate is the fate of the bubble in the air; they float 
easily and lightly, sparkle very beautifully in the sunlight for a moment, 
then burst and are forgotten. 

Relig-ion has no foundation in fact, unless it is based on truth. 
The gospel preached here is the same as that expounded in other places, 
and the duty of spreading a knowledge of its saving truths is as in- 
cumbent upon our ministerial friends in Chester, who believe in its 
efficacy to raise up and save fallen souls, as it was upon the early apos- 
tles who preached it two thousand years ago. 

There is a business side to all forms of religion, that is, those un- 
dertakings having for their purposes the preservation and propagation 
of the principles for which religion stands. Its chief mission, however, 
is to teach the gospel, which in reality is based on the common brother- 
hood of man, and through which doctrine alone the soul of man is 
reached. 

In respect to religion, Chester is no exception to other well regu- 
lated communities. Its power for good is the same as in other places 
and the people contribute liberally toward its support and maintenance. 



JladMii Street WM)iircli 





seventy-seven 




seveiitij-ciffht 



Pari si) 




AnMlrfiUiVo 
^ubiirlMi) 
-1iiir(t)pr«|i('rl\i 





seventy-nine 




BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE AS WELL 
AS THE PRESENT 

HE residents of Chester may well be proud of the place 
in which they live, and they live in a manner that makes 
Chester justly proud of its residents. The city will 
stand by anybody whose stand is right. Wrongdoing is 
not tolerated. Our citizenship will not stand for that. 
Every man gets a square deal here. We make every 
stranger feel at home and welcome competitors in all 
lines, for there is room enough for all. 

A man here, whether rich or poor, in high station or low, will 
alwaj's, if indeed a man, have the power to be happy. Our people may 
wear out in working, but they dread to rust out in idling. We believe 
that when you have anything to do, do it. There is much doing in 
Chester. 

The future growth and development of Chester will depend to a 
great extent on the co-operation and active work of its progressive citi- 
zens. Our city has developed as the grain in the field develops, and not 
as the mushroom grows. We are solving problems for the betterment 
of the city every day. The community is fast developing better housing 
conditions, so as to make Chester a more attractive and desirable place 
of residence for those whose hands and brains must co-operate in in- 
dustry. We are working along the line of that which is best for all is 
best for the individual. We do not believe in working for the good 
of a few at the expense of many. Industry and civic betterment go hand 
in hand. We are building for the future as well as the present and shall 
strive to make our citv beautiful as well as large. 




PARKS 

HE public parks of Chester are attractive recreation 
spots. True, not enough money has been available in 
the past to beautify them as they should be. Yet our 
residents get much enjoyment out of these breathing 
places. The two larger parks — Chester and Crozer — 
are situated in the outskirts of the city and are not 
as well patronized as would be the case were they more 
centrally located. Thurlow Park, in the west end, affords much pleas- 
ure to the people in that part of the city, because of it being so advan- 
tageously situated. It is here that the working-men and women largely 
congregate, particularly after a day of toil in the heat of summer. 

The late Alfred 0. Deshong, however, was mindful of Chester's 
needs. In his will, he bequeathed his handsome estate to be used by the 
people of Chester as a park and art gallery. The legacy is known as 
the "Alfred O. Deshong Memorial," is controlled by a board of trus- 
tees, and consists of spacious and well-laid-out grounds in the central 
part of the city, besides a most valuable art collection, as indicated 
in several plates in this book. 



eighty 



Chesler 
park 

Comprising 
40 Acres of Pl^cjrounds 




Great expTiftJOtions 



eighty-one 







eighty-two 




BANKS AND FINANCE 

HE fact that there never has been a failure of any 
national bank or trust company in Chester speaks well 
for the financial soundness of our banking institutions. 
The officers representing the Chester banking houses 
are all men of the best character, who have taken every 
Ijrecaution to protect the interest of stockliolders and 
safeguard the money entrusted to them. There are four 
national banks and two trust companies, having a combined capital of 
$1,400,000, deposits amounting to $7,458,500, and a surplus of $1,525,250. 
This in itself is sufficient guarantee to insure safety for and confidence 
in the banks and trust companies of Chester. 

When, in 1910, a $600,000 city improvement loan was floated, the 
most recently organized trust company of the two doing business here 
showed its confidence in the financial standing of Chester and the move- 
ment to improve the municipality by underwriting the entire loan at 
a handsome premium to the city. 

Safe and legitimate undertakings are supported by the banks of 
Chester, and every reasonable borrowing need of the merchant, manu- 
facturer or investor is served. 

The Chester clearing-house answers as a most valuable adjunct to 
the banks in many ways. The sums each day due by and to the banks 
among themselves are here set otf against each other and the balance 
paid or received. The clearing-house system also affords an oppor- 
tunity for consultation on matters of common interest to the banking 
institutions and serves as a bulwark of strength in times of need. 




eiyhty-three 




eighty-four 



'SolinPCfurci' 

JH.Roop 

JMBrourpllJr 

OBDifkinsoii 

Gpo.M:BuiUiiiii 

\v;;i^l}roiu ' 

\Vii»J«)l)affor 
VViC^prour I 
C.DfA 




C\)mcr Pa 



Tn1l9rniirui| 



rapiral^SWiuou 

cMlipllU "/OO 01(11 



1000,000 




eighty-five 



A 



Ti}pDol9\\aro '^^ Toiinn)ymt,(§a[ol)pposit and 




Cotnpan^^ 

(tin\ta\ ana^urplus 

A<.'H>,000. OO' 

^9pohiis> 2,100,000-00 
Offieen& 

TXpt 

0re 



3ami?s> AG Campbell Prev 

c/M» CMnfilOn ■ .ytre'Ptei/o'ent 









JDhriCbf(/trea J^/hlf3on. 
lowsff.fiff UTolterS. Stc/f/s^ 

Pcomtnjprdal and §.avinMc( uu t ris "^oi i riteoi 

[: Trustt. of every descrijihon exctured ^itW Itl^urat 




VEWmiilKooni -** ■■'"" 



if/hi jj-ni.v 




CLUBS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 

HE social life of Chester is in keeping with all its other 
good points. As for clubs and societies there is no 
scarcity, be they purely social, political, fraternal, secret 
or religious. Among the ladies' organizations of a 
somewhat public character, may be mentioned the New 
Century Club and Young Women's Christian Associa- 
tion. There are other minor clubs and societies con- 
trolled by women, but the two above named claim much attention from 
the fair sex. As to men's organizations, there seems to be no limit. 
Almost every "Glrand" lodge, society or fraternal body in the country 
has a branch at Chester. Among them may be mentioned : Elks, Eagles, 
Moose, Red Men, Knights of Pythias, Masonic, Odd Fellows, Woodmen, 
American Mechanics, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Benevolent Legion, 
American Catholic Union, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and scores of 
others. 

The Penn Club, composed of professional and business men and 
manufacturers, has a centrally located clubhouse, which provides pleas- 
ure and recreation for its members and strangers coming to the city. 
A recently organized club, which has attractions not to be had in 
all other cities, is the Chester Club. Its aim is to provide home-like 
accommodation to its members and their friends. This is chiefly ac- 
complished by the kind of meals served and the features of pleasure 
and amusement in the nature of games and other pastimes. 

Chester has also a Board of Trade, Chamber of Commerce, and 
what is known as the Civic Advancement Commission, all three organ- 
izations working for the betterment of the city. 

The Chester Free Library and West End Library both serve also 
a useful purpose in the community and are well patronized. 




eighty-seven 




eight y-cight 




eighty-nine 




■n inety 




ninety-one 




SCHOOLS AND PLAYGROUNDS 

F there is any one thing for which Chester is entitled to 
credit more than anything else, it is its valuable and 
attractive piiblic schools and the excellence of the teach- 
ing force. Let it be said to the credit of the city that 
such school buildings as the Chester High, Larkin Grraui- 
mar, and Franklin, are not excelled in many cities of 
the country. The combined valuation of public school 
property in Chester is placed at $1,000,000. It is the fact that so much 
return has been had for the money expended that calls for special com- 
ment. The total enrollment for the year 1913 was approximately 5250 
pupils, and the cost in the neighborhood of $30 per pupil. 

A brief description of the more important school buildings will 
not be out of place. The Chester High School is a structure of archi- 
tectural beauty, is modernly equipped, and cost $175,000 complete. It 
is a massive granite stone editice, surrounded by a large area of ground 
and is classed as the foremost building in the city. 

Next in order is the new Franklin School, built last year, and which 
cost close to $100,000 for construction and equipment. It is the pride 
of the Chester school district, because in this building is taught manual 
training and domestic science, besides the usual classes. Its need has 
long been felt in the community. Chester, being a city comprised chiefly 
of the working classes, the introduction of the new educational fea- 
tures will redound to the lasting credit of the school directors, who, 
of their own volition, brought about this valuable addition to the public 
school property, and caused to be introduced the special courses of 
training, so very much needed by the boys and girls of Chester. 

The Larkin Glrammar School is of gray granite, a model building, 
and cost $90,000 to erect and equip. In addition to the above, there are 
twenty-one public schools throughout the city, all of them being main- 
tained on a high order. 

Playgrounds for the children are provided in different parts of the 
city, all of them on public school property. They are conducted under 
the direction of the Chester Playground Association, composed of pub- 
lic-spirited men and women of the city, aided by the school authorities 
and the general public. Each year brings with it new playgrounds and 
more amusement features, and the pleasures and benefits derived from 
them by the children of the city cannot easily be estimated. 

There are three Catholic parochial schools, with close to 1000 
pupils, under the care of sisters of several orders. These schools are 
also kept up to a high standard of excellence, both as to secular and 
religious training. Pupils in the parochial schools here are prepared 
for the Chester High School and Catholic High Schools of Philadelphia. 
Altogether, the educational needs of Chester's rising generation 
are exceptionally well looked after. One more advantage, however, 
could well be afforded those whose education has been neglected be- 
cause of circumstances beyond the control of the school authorities, 
that is, a system of night schools for the young men and young women 
who were forced to go to work at an early age. 



ninety-two 




ninety-three 



l^irf(inlnP#lie.rpt\oor 




ConroidA^'enupFront 




ninety-four 






Tfjpffiiiklin behoof 




ninety-five 







ninety-six 




ninety-seven 




PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL FEATURES 

ESIDES the extensive public school system and the ad- 
vantages afforded hj the several parochial schools, 
Chester has a number of private educational institu- 
tions of widespread distinction, such as Swarthmore 
College, the Pennsylvania Military College, Crozer Theo- 
logical Seminary, Sleeper's College, and other minor 
schools. There are men and women all over this broad 
land who can attest to the efficiency of our institutions of learning, 
manj^ having climbed the ladder of success because of the training re- 
ceived here in the days of their youth. 

How to get on in life, and secure a competency, is the great 
struggle of the masses. Old proverbs abound purporting to make the 
matter as "clear as the road to mill," yet very often they come as 
wide as possible from the mark. A man may "rise with the lark" 
and "work like a beaver," and take "care of the pennies," yet never 
have the dollars to take care of. He may, by dint of scraping and 
saving and pinching, until life becomes as dry as a chip, amass a little 




Joftfutiop [or ' 
Offjcpaol Commercial 




ncty-right 



hoard, which is worse 
than poverty compared 
to noble manhood. It 
is not these things that 
bring ease and content- 
ment in life. The best 
capital for success a 





man can have is being the right man 
in the right place. 

Then, too, book learning is only 
one method of education. In reality, 
it is but the foundation for greater 
things. Practical experience, tact and 
perseverance are as necessary with 
the preacher as with the shoemaker. 




ifarriiHaff' 



n ihp Jlills of ©elaware 
Countj) overlooking (1>e*ter 



-^proulTMesropp 
Onp ot tl)e lai|e^tMronon)ical In^tmipenk 
inttipEast . 



ninety-nine 



PHILANTHROPIC WORK 




HESTER has its charitably disposed people, like other 
lolaces. In the line of ijhilanthropy, no community of 
like proportion has been more considered by the well- 
to-do class than has this city. The Chester Hospital 
and the Crozer Hospital and Home for Incurables — the 
latter two institutions being alone supported by a lady 
philanthropist, and the former partly by State aid and 
local charity — care for the sick and injured under the most efficient 
management and skill. 

A recent Y. M. C. A. campaign lifted the association out of debt 
and provided enough monej" to establish a Y. W. C. A. in Chester. The 
lady philanthropist above referred to was the largest contributor 
towards both associations. Ninety thousand dollars was raised in six 
days in the early part of November last, for Christian association pur- 
poses. 

In public and private, Chester people are ever ready to do their 
full share in charity, be it helping along the work of religious and char- 
itable societies, supporting an educational cause or responding to the 
appeals from stricken communities far away. 



THE PRESS 




EE standing of a city, its values and attractions, are 
based, as a rule, on the attitude of the people .toward 
the government and that which is vital to the public 
welfare. In this connection, it is the press of the com- 
munity that plays the most important part in molding- 
public opinion. It can serve as an educator of the 
people, and can also be used with demoralizing effect. 
The press of Chester has aimed to serve the city and its surround- 
ings to the best interest of the people. Its influence has always been 
for good and its power never abused. Prejudice is never allowed to 
sway the columns of our papers in anything that bears on Chester's 
advancement or progress. Both the two dailies and the several week- 
lies that are published here encourage, in every way possible, that which 
is best for the government and best for the people. 

The columns of the papers are freely lent to exploit projects of in- 
terest to the community, and no worthy or deserving cause is per- 
mitted to fall because of any indifference on the part of the press. 



one hundred 




^jfs^^M^M^^ 



one hundred and one 



"^--^, 




one hundred and two 




one hundred and three 



'Sh . 




one hundred and four 



^mjl'pjpfpf {fact v)t)khisto Redeveloped ontheModera 
Ttdmincf Plan ciuriii| l^l'f . Bemost atlrachve piec9#ar^ci for f)om^ 





oulevard 

leading to 

tl)ppai-)t 

<)n(l v(1)ifl) 

(fividotbe 
proporjv) 



one hundred and five 




one hundred and six 







one hundred avd seven 




one hundred and eight 



1 




one hundred and nine 




one hundred and ten 




one hundred and eleven 




one hundred and twelve 




one hundred and thirteen 




IIOUI 

one hundred and fourteen 







one hundred and fifteen 



^^^^- ^.y^ ^K 




one liKiiflrcd and sixteett 




laudjriiMEl£,femo9erninSeiViayiV£po,| 



o»!e hundred and seventeen 



Iplantofthe 



<^ 




one hundred and eighteen 




ereJBs^ieTB all ' Tanii" Gather i n ancf out 
of c§ea?.oa 



Coloniafljotof 



I (aferitothG^raveliiKf 





one hundred and nineteen 




GOVERNMENT STATISTICS 

HE Chester postal service is equal to that of any other 
third-class city in Pennsylvania. There are three de- 
liveries each day throughout the city, and the rural mail 
service in the suhurhan sections, as well as the con- 
venient post offices in the outlying districts, atTord 
prompt delivery in the line of all mails, including the 
Parcel-Post service. In order to show the growth of 
the post-office receipts for Chester, which does not include the various, 
fourth-class offices in the immediate suburban districts, the following 
statistics are of interest: 

Receipts for the year ending June 30, 1880 $16,909.15 

" " " " " 30, 1890 . 29,270.19 

" " " " " 30, 1900 46,137.42 

" " " " " 30, 1908 63,477.82 

" " " " " 30, 1913 79,037.63 

During the year just past the Federal building was enlarged to 
twice its original size, in order to all the better take care of the rapidly 
increasing business. 

The building, besides used as a post office, is also occupied as the 
headquarters for the Customs officials. It is here that the Collector of 
the Port has his office, where vessels enter and clear and duties are 
collected. In addition there is stationed here a naval officer and meat 
inspectors, under the direction of the United States Government. 

Chester was first declared a Port of Entry by Act of Congress in 
1912. It was not, however, until November 1, 1913, that the district 
was recognized in that capacity. The district extends from the Dela- 
ware state line on the west to Crum river on the east, and includes 
Gribson's Point, New Jersey. The Chester Collector of the Port is sub- 
ject to the headquarters port at Philadelphia. He, however, makes all 
his reports direct to the Treasury Department at Washington. 

The business done at the Port of Chester, from July 1, 1912, to June 
30, 1913, was as follows : 

Arrival of foreigTi vessels 112 

Net tonnage 225,890 

Value of cargoes in imports $1,801,099 

Value of cargoes in exports 6,039,170 

As stated elsewhere, logwood, fustic, mahogany, used as dyestuff ; 
iron, magnesite and chrome ores ; crude gypsum, and refined oil are the 
chief products imported to and exported from Chester, 



liiiiidnd (1,1(1 hrciitii 




ope hundred and tioenty-one 



Chester cgept 5-10 HiJ 





one hundred and twrvttj-tn-o 




one hundred and tii:cntij-1hrre 




PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATIONS 

HESTER does not own anj- of its public service works. 
While the city does not get all it should in the way of 
returns from some of these corporations, the fault is 
of long ago and not of to-day. As to water, electricity 
and gas, it is doubtful that, if any or all three of 
these works were owned by the municipality, better 
or cheaper service to the consumer would be the 
result. The quality of all three of these products, so necessary 
to city life, is of the best. State analysis shows that our drinking 
water is quite superior to most places and excelled by few. The city 
is lighted by electricity at a cost per candle power much lower than 
can be said of numerous cities throughout the State, and power, heat 
and light are furnished for manufacturing, business and home pur- 
poses, at most reasonable rates. What is true of the water and electric 
light and power service is also true of the gas service. Gas is pretty 
generally used for domestic purposes and in stores, for cooking, light- 
ing and heating. The rates are low and the quality excellent. 

In the matter of telephone and trolley railway services, there seems 
to be a wide difference of opinion as to whether the public is getting 
all it should. Competition in telephone lines has been productive of 
some good since the Independent Company, established some eighteen 
years ago, began business. Rates have been materialh^ decreased and 
the number of telephones increased 1500 per cent, dui'ing that time. 
While telephone competition forced the giant monopoly that was first 
on the ground to reduce its rates, in most cases more than one-half, 
there has been a very noticeable advance in rates of late years, due, 
in a measure, to the public having to go back to the original company, 
because the new failed to keep pace with the requirements of a fast- 
developing district. However, the recent installation of a new and 
latest-improved system, in new and enlarged quarters, ensures to the 
public superior service from the Independent Company, and at rates 
more consistent and liljeral than have been given for some time past 
by the company first to introduce the telephone here. 

In this connection, a word might well be said relative to the numer- 
ous unsightly poles and wires that predominate on our main business 
and residential streets. An underground system, under the control of 
the city, is the only remedy that will give relief. The city could well 
afford to provide underground facilities, at no greater cost to the com- 
panies than the expense of maintaining the system. It is due to the 
fact that no amicable arrangement has ever been suggested, that Chester 
is so burdened with overhead construction. 

That Chester is in need of, and should have, more and better 
service in the way of trolley railways, there is no question. No ad- 
vancement in the transportation service of Chester has practically been 
made other than what was brought about by shifting from a horse-car 
system to that of electricity, in twenty-five years. True, two new com- 
l^eting lines have come into the city, but they are bottled up so much as to 
be of little benefit to Chester. We need more railways that will help 
develop the city and assist it to grow in the districts that are as yet 
undeveloped. 

one hundred and twotty-fuur 




liHiidird und ticfnty-fu 




CONTENTMENT 



one hiiiidi-cd and l.(Ciiiti/:six 



"CHE STEP - 

HY. V SMITH. 




MAP OP PF ^OPOSED 

GREATER CHI ESTER, PA, 

COVERS AN AREA OF^^ TEN SQUARE MILES 

f=ROVIDES FOR A POPULATIO. V OF /IBOUT SrS.OOO 

(12 HOMES TO THE ACRE) 

/IFTt'Ft OeO. UCJING 
'A OF THE AREA FOR COMME' ^CIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USES 
AND 500 AC:RES FOR 
SCHOOLS CHURCH£5, PARI- -S AND PIAY6R0UND5. 




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